Six of the Best 474

Gareth Epps celebrates victory over the pubcos: "Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined it possible to win this vote against a Government whip, although reports that half the 56 Liberal Democrat MPs voted for a Fair Deal are equally wonderful."

Yvette Cooper’s speech on immigration means that left and right have reached an illiberal consensus, says Nick Tyrone.

Tim Wigmore, on the New Statesman's The Staggers blog, asks what the point of police and crime commissioners is.

British politics is becoming more European, but that may not be a good thing, argues Ian Traynor in the Observer.

"Archers fans do not want daily death and destruction, we do not want drama at every turn and we certainly don’t want shocking out of our loyalty. We listen because the cast is wonderful, the storylines are believable and entertaining and we’re not left feeling slightly grubby for enjoying it." Biff Raven-Hill fears an institution may be in danger.

Paul Nettleton reviews a new biography of Stevie Nicks.