Archive of August 2013
The Week in Review: Thirteen votes that changed Britain
This week was about intelligence, leadership, tomahawks and shock. Shock in the Commons chamber, that is, not shock and awe in Damascus.
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The Political Week Online: From Cyrus to Syria
From Miley Cyrus's bum cheeks to war in Syria; from David Cameron's parliamentary humiliation to Dan Hodges leaving the Labour party, the internet has been a hot mess of news, views, and utter nonsense.
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The week in political blogging
With Syria dominating the headlines, bloggers took to their keyboards to influence the debate
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Comment: A vote of tragedy and triumph for Great Britain
We should celebrate the rupture of the special relationship - but not use it as an excuse to turn our back on the world.
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Syria intervention: Anatomy of a defeat
David Cameron's personal authority took a huge blow last night - but the prime minister should only partly be blamed for the government's failure to win over the Commons.
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Eyewitness: Shock in the Commons
When Cameron returned from voting for his doomed motion on military action against Bashar al-Assad he was joking with Labour frontbenchers. It was the last time he would smile in the Commons chamber that evening.
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Syria vote aftermath: As-it-happens
Follow every development, as the coalition tries to pick up the pieces from a humiliating Commons defeat.
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Four quick thoughts on a historic defeat
An evening which may very well be studied in the history books.
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Ed Miliband Syria intervention statement in full
Ed Miliband's Commons statement urging caution on Syria - in full and unedited
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Syria debate verdict: A terrible moment for Ed Miliband
It was a shameful afternoon in the Commons - and Ed Miliband was probably the worst.
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Comment: Intervention in Syria comes not too soon, but too late
It's a grim reality that it often takes the credible threat of force to even get tin-pot thugs like Assad to the table.
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Labour amendment on Syria motion in full
Read Labour's amendment to the Commons motion authorising Syrian intervention, in full and unedited
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Syria intervention Commons debate as-it-happens
The Tory-Labour alliance on Syria collapses. A rump of rebellious Conservative MPs refuse to back military intervention. Paris and Washington look on as debate hits the Commons.
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Syria Commons motion in full
Read the government's motion on intervention in Syria, in full and unedited.
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Comment: The anti-war left's response to Syria has been teenage and irresponsible
This is not Iraq. Calling supporters of intervention 'warmongers' is totally inappropriate.
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Drums of war: As-it-happens
The world prepares for western military intervention in Syria. Follow all the developments as they happen.
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Comment: Can Unesco ever recover from Irina Bokova's disastrous rule?
Unesco's departing director-general has left nothing but a trail of disarray for her successor.
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Comment: Assad's chemical weapons leave the west no choice but to intervene in Syria
It is not so much the crossing of a red line but the tipping of a balance which has triggered the need for a Syrian intervention. MPs must prepare to send Britain's military into action once again.
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Comment: There are no positive outcomes for military intervention in Syria
Whichever way you look at it, there are no good goals for Britain in the Syrian civil war.
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Comment: Why the Middle East just doesn't trust Britain over Syria
"Now who's fighting in Syria?" he asks me, lighting another cigarette. "Not Syrians."
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Comment: The badger cull is an act of deceit and neglect
People who should know better have given up on scientific research.
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The Political Week Online: Moob over
David Cameron is a 46-year-old man with a desk job, so the fact that he isn't in perfect physical health shouldn't be a huge surprise.
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The Week in Review: Clegg's betrayal
"I'd like to make one thing clear" declared Nick Clegg in his first speech as deputy prime minister.
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Eyewitness: The truth about Chelsea Manning's sentencing hearing
An eyewitness account of Chelsea Manning's sentencing hearing, where the US private was sentenced to 35 years over Wikileaks documents.
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Comment: How banks fail the poorest in society
Brutal payday lending has replaced mainstream credit for those who need it most, but it won't lead us to economic growth.
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