Chris Skidmore, 20/12/11

Conservative MP for Kingswood

We cannot opt-out of History: the past a compulsory part of our shared knowledge and culture, forming our national identity. To continue down the road of its slow eradication in schools is to risk losing this common identity for future generations.

David Cowan, 21/12/11

Cambridge History student, 42nd best conservative blogger according to Total Politics and Conservative Party activist.

The coalition's response to the Vickers report was a missed opportunity. A chance to reform Britain's banking sector for the better has been hijacked by the Liberal Democrats' need yearning for influence. And so George Osborne has accepted the report in full, though it couldn't be said totally against his own judgement.

Brian Binley, 21/12/11

Conservative Member of Parliament for Northampton South

Anyone who witnessed those bloody attacks was shocked to hear President Obama welcoming al-Maliki to the White House, on Monday last (12 December) and could well question why such a man was invited.

Jackie Doyle-Price, 20/12/11

Member of Parliament for Thurrock

I am proud of this country and of the liberties we enjoy. I am proud that we give a safe haven to those fleeing persecution. I am also proud that Britain is seen as a beacon of freedom and opportunity and that so many people would wish to pursue their lives here.

Peter G Tatchell, 21/12/11

Human Rights Campaigner

Britain is in the midst of the biggest economic crisis since the 1930s depression - a crisis that has been dragging on for the last four years. Even now, politicians are offering no clear solutions; just tinkering here and there with minor adjustments to a failed system. We've got to get out of the current mess and take steps to prevent a repeat economic disaster in the future. One way of doing this is by ensuring greater economic democracy - more participation, transparency, decentralisation and accountability in the way the economy is run. We expect political democracy, why not economic democracy too?

Heléna Herklots, 21/12/11

Services Director at Age UK

No one should be forced to spend Christmas Day alone and I urge you to take a bit of time out from all the parties, gift wrapping and festivities to spread Christmas cheer to an older person you know this festive season.

Ted Kaufman, 19/12/11

Fmr. U.S. Senator from Delaware

I have never quite been able to understand how the decision was made to fire Richard Wagoner at GM but not Vikram Pandit at Citibank. Is running a huge bank really more complex than running a huge automobile manufacturer?

Iain Anderson, 19/12/11

Director of Cicero Group

George Osborne has signalled the UK's desire to move further and faster on banking reform than any other major international competitor.

Marilyn McKeever, 20/12/11

Associate Director, Trusts & Personal Tax, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP

As the euro teeters on the brink of collapse, and the global economy faces unprecedented severe weather warnings, recovering unpaid tax is a higher priority than ever for countries feeling the financial pain.

Lorna Fitzsimons, 20/12/11

CEO of BICOM (the Britain Israel Communications & Research Centre), a not-for-profit, independent organisation

The European Union matters deeply but the people of Europe do not want federalism. Not yet, anyway. The beginning of political wisdom is to respect that, back off, listen to the people, and build the Europe they do want, from the bottom up. What is at stake is much more than the European project; it is the credibility and principle of democracy itself.

Andrew Harrop, 19/12/11

General Secretary of the Fabian Society

One week later, as we enter the hangover phase of the euro veto crisis, clouds of paradox hang thick in the air. The last week has thrown up contortions, contradictions and ambiguities which have left heads spinning on all sides. Here are nine paradoxes to emerge from the chain of events.

Peter Kellner, 19/12/11

President of YouGov, political commentator and journalist

Dear Nick, You have had a torrid fortnight. You hated David Cameron telling you he had vetoed a new European Union treaty. You endured mockery from your stance. You felt you had to stay away from the House of Commons when the Prime Minister reported back on the latest EU summit.

David Cowan, 18/12/11

Cambridge History student, 42nd best conservative blogger according to Total Politics and Conservative Party activist.

The public narrative of the coalition over the past 18 months has been dominated by cuts, inflation, sluggish growth, scandals, rioting, international sovereign debt crises, parliamentary rebellions and more cuts. Is it any wonder that David Cameron has gotten his inner circle in Downing Street to put together a new strategy for the new year?

Iain Anderson, 19/12/11

Director of Cicero Group

The Lilley Report on the Draft Financial Services Bill, produced even without final sight of the government response to Vickers, is an excellent sign of effective legislation scrutiny.

Peter Kellner, 15/12/11

President of YouGov, political commentator and journalist

Almost twenty years ago, British troops regained control over a group of group of small, previously little-known, islands in the South Atlantic, and the Falklands Factor was born.

William Turvill, 19/12/11

Freelance/ training journalist living in London.

It's not entirely clear what 'it' is, but it is clear that both Cameron and Dawkins are wrong in their own ways. The Church of England should certainly have the right to influence the moral decisions of its members, but just because our political leader is Christian, does not mean the entire nation's morals should be dictated in this way.

Enver Solomon, 19/12/11

Policy Director, The Children's Society

Given the wider economic and social pressures in the current era of austerity the task now is even harder than when Labour tried to tackle the same problem. And at the same time there will be more families falling into crisis who have yet to be identified by government.