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Monday 2 September 2013
Chemical export licences for Syria – just another UK deal with a dictator

Defence Systems and Equipment International arms fair at the Excel Centre, Docklands, London. Photograph: Rex Features

Nick Dearden: Britain is in no position to lecture on human rights when Vince Cable's authorisation follows a long history of arms sales Continue reading...
Posted by
Nick Dearden
10.30 EDT
Friday 9 August 2013
Zero-hours contracts: nil points

Editorial: To argue that zero-hours flexibility benefits both worker and boss is to ignore job insecurity in Britain's post-crash economy Continue reading...
Posted by
Editorial
15.10 EDT
Monday 29 July 2013
Blacklisting is getting easier, thanks to the erosion of workers' rights

'While it is good to hear Vince Cable condemn the practice of blacklisting, he is part of a government that is making it harder for employees to speak out against injustice.' Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA

Frances O'Grady: The government has condemned an apparent blacklist of Crossrail construction workers, yet is making it easier to sack people Continue reading...
Posted by
Frances O'Grady
13.35 EDT
Thursday 13 June 2013
On the topic of political meddling, RBS and the like can shut up

'Having sunk £45bn in RBS, politicians feel entitled to tell it … to get out of casino banking; stop paying reckless bonuses; and hive off its bad-bank arm.' Photograph: David Cheskin/PA

Simon Jenkins: Stephen Hester wanted to turn RBS into a 'normal' bank, but it wasn't his to turn. After £45bn, government can do what it wants Continue reading...
Posted by
Simon Jenkins
15.00 EDT
Saturday 20 April 2013
The rules

George Osborne at Margaret Thatcher's funeral. Photograph: Observer

Rafael Behr: The essential etiquette guide to modern life Continue reading...
Posted by
Rafael Behr
19.03 EDT
Sunday 17 March 2013
The budget: if Osborne has no answers, who does?

Ed Balls' admission that borrowing would go up in the short term has largely been ignored. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for The Guardian. for the Guardian

John Harris: The interesting question is not what the chancellor will say on Wednesday, but whether Ed Balls dares set out his alternative Continue reading...
Posted by
John Harris
16.39 EDT
Monday 11 March 2013
A short history of austerity: it almost never works

Liam Fox has called for a £345bn cut in public spending. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Aditya Chakrabortty: You have to be one of Vince Cable's 'austerity jihadists' to believe you can cut your way out of a slump Continue reading...
Posted by
Aditya Chakrabortty
16.00 EDT
Sunday 10 March 2013
Liberal Democrats: heartlands

Editorial: Nick Clegg still feels the sacrifices are worth it, but this is becoming an increasingly difficult line to sustain Continue reading...
Posted by
Editorial
19.09 EDT
Friday 8 March 2013
Banks and the economy: them and us

Editorial: A week in which financial institutions have dominated the news highlights the mother of all missed opportunities Continue reading...
Posted by
Editorial
15.38 EST
Thursday 7 March 2013
Steve Bell on the coalition's economic policy differences – cartoon

Steve Bell 08.03.2013 Photograph: Copyright Steve Bell 2013/All Ri for the Guardian

David Cameron has slapped down a call by the business secretary, Vince Cable, for increased government borrowing
Posted by
Steve Bell
17.27 EST
More spending? The coalition may as well build a bridge to the moon

'The only difference between [Cameron and Cable's economic policies] is whether a little stardust might be in order from a handful of high-profile building projects.' Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Simon Jenkins: David Cameron and Vince Cable are both wrong. Infrastructure isn't the answer and nor is QE – money in pockets is Continue reading...
Posted by
Simon Jenkins
15.00 EST
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Forget fairness. This mansion tax is ideological cowardice

'Adjusted for inflation, rich ratepayers would today be paying from £6,000 to perhaps £30,000 a year on their houses. Yet they are actually paying H-band council tax on properties [like these] in Westminster of a mere £1,369.' Photograph: Martin Godwin

Simon Jenkins: A fair extension of the council tax would be easy, lucrative, progressive – and anathema to people like Balls and Cable Continue reading...
Posted by
Simon Jenkins
02.00 EST
Saturday 29 September 2012
Is this the death knell for the Lib Dems?

Nick Clegg at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Nick Cohen: At a time when the country needs them, the party seems intent on self-destruction Continue reading...
Posted by
Nick Cohen
19.05 EDT
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Council tax: the easy way to make mansion-dwellers pay

‘Why does Vince Cable make it so difficult for himself? He wants it to start at £2m which, outside west London, is more a palace tax.' Photo: Jonathan Brady/EPA

Simon Jenkins: Adding further bands to this locally raised tax would be fair and effective. But our politicians lack the guts Continue reading...
Posted by
Simon Jenkins
15.30 EDT
Steve Bell on Vince Cable at the Liberal Democrat conference – cartoon

Steve Bell on Vince Cable at the Liberal Democrat conference – cartoon. Photograph: Steve Bell

Business secretary could restore party's ratings, poll shows, as Labour lead widens
Posted by
Steve Bell
19.53 EDT