ADVANCE PARTY
George Galloway Says There Is 'An Army Mustering In The North' As He Takes His Commons Seat

Francis Hoar, 16/04/12

Barrister, writes on law reform and blogs on politics

Rather than undermining a cornerstone of charitable giving, the government should be thinking of how it can reduce the tax burden on charities.

Theodora Clarke, 16/04/12

Lecturer and commentator

Charities cannot exist without the support of philanthropists and their generous donations. To penalise charities at a time when many cultural organisations are facing cutbacks and a funding squeeze in tough economic times is madness.

Alastair Stewart, 16/04/12

ITV News presenter and CARE International UK Ambassador

You may or may not bemoan the hosepipe ban, but, as you inevitably sip a glass of water with lunch or luxuriate in a bath or take a shower tomorrow, spare a thought for those for whom a fraction of that water could be the difference between life and death; and then do what you can to help.

Preetam Kaushik, 16/04/12

Freelance journalist

Over the last few decades, the steady immigration of Muslims from around the world to America and across Europe, has thrown the spotlight on the hijab. Many Americans and Europeans are surprised to find that contrary to what they believe, a large number of Muslim women do not wear the hijab out of compulsion but out of choice.

Bob Morgan, 16/04/12

Former Met Police, Lib Dem campaigner, community worker and activist

Around 230 women are turned away from women's refuges every day and front line services for women experiencing domestic abuse are facing severe cuts according to recent research - as a result many more women are being put in danger.

Andy Langenkamp, 15/04/12

Global political analyst at ECR Research and Interest & Currency Consultants

Unemployment in the eurozone is at historic highs. Economic growth data are equally depressing while confidence is low among producers and consumers. In short, the stock market rallies of recent months are premature.

Adnan Al-Daini, 15/04/12

Retired University Lecturer

Asylum seekers are those, in the main, who are escaping war and/or have stood up to tyranny and injustice from their rulers. They are courageous people that need to be admired, not vilified.

Sir Peter Westmacott, 14/04/12

British Ambassador to the United States

The new U.S./U.K. Defence Trade Cooperation treaty ensures that Britain and America can share our world-class defence capabilities more efficiently and more effectively.

Alan Johnson, 14/04/12

Works at the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre

The Islamic Movement cleric Raed Salah won his appeal this week against a decision by the Home Secretary to exclude him from the UK. The judgement is a sign of our weakness and confusion in the face of extremism.

Matthew West, 13/04/12

Matthew West Associate Editor CNBC

Right now Boris probably has the upper hand. And he will do until Ken can land a decisive blow of his own or owns up over his taxes. Of course come May 3rd there's also a good chance none of us will give a damn.

Max Atkinson, 12/04/12

Freelance researcher and consultant who runs courses, coaches, writes books and blogs on public speaking, presentation and speechwriting

In the internet age, we can often can read a speech, free from any 'embargo', before it's actually been given - as with one we'll be hearing from Ed Miliband later today (posted on Politics Home at 9.53 a.m. this morning).

Settit Beyene, 13/04/12

Student, features editor of Impact

Embarking on a gap year in 2012/2013 means I and countless other itchy-footed Brits will have to deal with increased APD on flights, opaque booking costs and 'administration' fees (EasyJet, Ryanair, I'm looking at you). Despite what Madonna said in the '80s, this year, holidays will not be a time to celebrate.

The Guyliner, 13/04/12

Taking on internet dating one gay at a time

There is a time, I imagine, in the lives of most gay people when they wish, if only for a moment, that they weren't gay. Perhaps it comes when they want to kiss their other half without fear of reproachful look or, worse, a boot to the head.

Aidan Hartley, 13/04/12

Journalist

Here in Sudan's Nuba Mountains the war isn't nearly over. It's escalating as skirmishes between north and South Sudan become bigger battles. The war is widening and more people are dying - and one day we will ask whether we did enough to stop it.

Michael Dugher, 12/04/12

Labour MP for Barnsley East and Shadow Minister without Portfolio

John Major's anniversary this week does remind us that there is one very big difference between these two Conservative prime ministers: namely that Major, unlike Cameron, did manage to win a general election.

Tehmina Kazi, 13/04/12

Director of British Muslims for Secular Democracy

Last week, the Home Office closed their three-month consultation on the criminalisation of forced marriage. When I initially posted the consultation document in the Facebook group for my organisation, British Muslims for Secular Democracy, there were cries of shock that forced marriage was not already a criminal offence. The right to choose who you will live with, sleep with, eat with and possibly raise children with, for the rest of your life, is as basic a right as they come. Violations of this right are not only disastrous for the individuals involved, but they undermine values that are fundamental to British society and Islam itself.

Rupert Wolfe-Murray, 09/04/12

Editor at Castle Craig addiction rehab clinic

The British Government spends an estimated £800 million a year on what it calls "addiction treatment" but less than 2% of this is used to fund people to go into residential rehab. Most of the budget is spent on "revolving door" treatments such as home detoxes, community interventions and replacement drugs such as methadone.