Coulson calling
‘Which brings us back to Cameron, and to Coulson. The Tory leader remains something of an enigma, sometimes crisp and tough, at others bland and blobby. Alongside him, as best mate and media fixer, he does not have a man brimming with passion for Tory ideas and keen for bloody-nose confrontation. There’s not much ideology around in Team Cameron, and a lot of metropolitan influence-peddling. Some Tories are saying that without a sharper edge, Cameron’s Toryism will fall to pieces.’ – Jackie Ashley, the Guardian
‘In a poll of MPs, journalists and other communications people working at the highest level in politics – only 22% have stated that Andy Coulson’s job as the Tories’ media chief should remain safe, while a third believe it is too early to tell how serious this story could be for him.’ – LabourList
Stay the course
‘I also totally understand when people see these deaths and ask, “Is it worth it?” But we need to be clear – our forces are serving our national interest. In 2001, the Taliban were allowing terrorist training camps to operate out of Afghanistan. Those terrorists targeted this country as well as other nations. We must never let that happen again. Our mission today is still to take on the terrorist threat at its source. It is what our troops are doing.’ – Bill Rammell and Lindsey German, the Mirror
Back on track
‘Adonis is right to point out that Britain still needs to plan for major infrastructure projects in spite of the recession. His determined obstinacy is a welcome obstacle to all the counter-veiling pressures on public spending that might still jeopardise a high-speed rail project. At least while Adonis is there the project remains alive and almost kicking.’ – Steve Richards, the Independent
Healthy optimism
‘After a frazzled week, the politics of US health reform looks messier than ever. Yet the odds on a bill passing in the end are improving. It will be an untidy thing, but if it moves the country close to universal health insurance the administration will call it a success. And on the whole, despite the avoidable mistakes this legislation seems bound to embody, that will be a fair assessment.’ – Clive Crook, the FT