ToryDiary: Will the Government's plan to buy off the Liberal Democrat student finance rebels work?
International: The Republicans make historic gains but can they undo the huge legislative achievements of the Obama-Pelosi sprint?
Alex Deane on CentreRight: The Republicans are the party of freedom
Lord Ashcroft on Platform: On cuts, voters can see the bigger picture
Parliament: Rebel Tory backbenchers fail in their attempt to impose thresholds on the AV Referendum - but 21 MPs back the bid before the bill clears the Commons
Local Government: Audit Commission paid £15,025 for drama workshops
ThinkTankCentral: New Bow Group paper suggests that in promoting export-led recovery, Latin America is a land of opportunities
Gazette: New Tory intake sweep the board at Westminster Dog of the Year Show
Baroness Neville-Jones calls on US to shut down internet hate videos
"Ministers have urged the White House to order US websites hosting al-Qaeda videos to remove them after a student inspired by online sermons tried to murder a Labour MP... Baroness Neville-Jones, the security minister, called on President Barack Obama's administration to "take down this hateful material" in cases where servers were based in the US. She said websites that "incite cold-blooded murder" would "categorically not be allowed in the UK"... Lady Neville-Jones was so concerned about the problem that she flew to Washington last week to insist on action during a speech at the influ ential Brookings Institute think tank." - Daily Telegraph
Theresa May to outline counter-terror stance
"Home Secretary Theresa May is to deliver her first major speech on counter-terrorism, just days after the foiled cargo plane terror plot. Mrs May will outline the Government's stance on counter-terrorism after implementing new security measures affecting the transfer of cargo through the UK following the discovery of powerful explosives linked to terror group al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula at East Midlands Airport on Friday." - Press Association
Cameron orders inquiry into delay in telling him of air cargo terror alert - The Guardian
Junior minister learned of bomb threat six hours before David Cameron - Daily Telegraph
> Robert Halfon on CentreRight yesterday: We must stop the conveyor belt to terrorism
Conservatives in disarray over prisoner voting
"David Cameron is facing a backlash from his party after reluctantly bowing to a European court ruling that prisoners should be given the right to vote. Ministers are drawing up plans to allow inmates on shorter sentences – but not the most serious offenders such as murderers and rapists – to take part in elections. In the Commons, a procession of Conservative MPs denounced the move as a surrender to Europe and urged the Government to retain the blanket ban dating back to 1870." - The Independent
"The appearance that they are soft on crime and its perpetrators is dangerous for the Conservatives. Ed Balls, the shadow home secretary, will be relishing his new portfolio." - Telegraph editorial
Toasting victory with cannabis and bubbly, the axe killer who won convicts the vote - Daily Mail
Melanie Phillips: Cameron fumes and postures over the EU. So why won't he stand up to it over votes for prisoners? - Daily Mail
> Last night in Parliament: Mark Harper admits "exasperation" over prisoner voting rights as he faces the wrath of angry Tory MPs
British sovereignty strengthened by defence deal, says Cameron
"David Cameron insisted that British sovereignty was strengthened by yesterday’s historic defence accord with France despite Conservative unease that he had surrendered military independence. The Prime Minister hailed the deal as “the start of something new, not an end in itself” after signing two treaties alongside President Sarkozy at a summit in Lancaster House." - The Times (£)
"This week's new entente may encourage France to play a more active role in Nato operations, building on President Sarkozy's decision to bring his country back into the military arm of the alliance in 2009. Provided the price in terms of diminished military autonomy is not too high, that can only be to our mutual benefit." - Telegraph editorial
Defence pact with French 'risks alliance with the US', Washington's former UN ambassador warns - Daily Mail
> Monday's ToryDiary: Liam Fox explains why UK and France are increasing defence co-operation
Cameron to make first China visit as PM next week - The Scotsman
Hague on collision course with Israeli government
"William Hague's decision to hold taboo-breaking talks with representatives of three groups at the forefront of the Palestinian civil disobedience movement has set him on collision course with Israel's government. The Foreign Secretary will meet the leadership of the increasingly assertive Palestinian groups on Wednesday, during his first visit to the Holy Land after taking office, and Israel fears the meetings could confer international legitimacy on the protesters." - Daily Telegraph
Petty criminals 'should lose right to jury trial', Victims' Commissioner urges
"Thousands of petty criminals should lose their right to a jury trial, a report argues today. Victims’ Commissioner Louise Casey said low-level offenders were ‘clogging up’ the courts system and should be tried by magistrates... But Tory MP Dominic Raab dismissed the call for restrictions on jury trials, and blamed the rise in cautions for undermining the courts. He said: ‘I don’t know why the Government would pay an ounce of attention to the architect of the failed Asbo experiment'." - Daily Mail
Ed Vaizey pans new online privacy code
"Individuals would be able to get redress against internet companies such as Google or Facebook if they feel they have invaded their privacy, under a code of internet conduct being proposed by the culture minister, Ed Vaizey. The code would be an updated and more concise version of the code for privacy online which is used by the Information Commissioner's Office." - The Guardian
> Last week in Parliament: An 'internet bill of rights' should be considered to protect people from "Big Brother Google", suggests Robert Halfon MP
Immigration cap not the answer to cutting net migration figure, says Home Affairs Committee
"Major cuts in the number of overseas students and family reunion cases, and ending the right of some immigrants to settle in Britain will be needed if the government is to meet its target for reducing net migration, according to a report by MPs . The Commons home affairs select committee says the proposed annual cap on immigration due to come into effect in April next year will cover fewer than 20% of long-term migrants to Britain. They say it will make little difference to overall immigration and may do serious damage to Britain's knowledge economy." - The Guardian
Immigration cap threatens cancer research - The Times (£)
James Purnell ‘turned down Miliband job offer’
"James Purnell turned down an approach from Ed Miliband to join his team after Mr Miliband’s victory in the Labour leadership contest. The Blairite former Welfare Secretary rejected the chance to take a senior role in the leader’s office. He told Mr Miliband that he did not want to become involved in day-to-day politics so soon after stepping down as an MP. " - The Times (£)
Job market growth 'hits 10-month low' in August - BBC
Royal Mail loses £66m on letters business as fewer and fewer are sent - Daily Mail
Tube strike to bring travel misery to millions of London commuters today - Evening Standard
Cameron's personal photographer handed job on government payroll
"David Cameron has defied his government's austerity regime by getting his personal photographer a job on the public payroll. The Prime Minister's 'vanity photographer', Andrew Parsons, has been found a job at the Cabinet Office, where he will receive an estimated £35,000 to take flattering pictures of him and other ministers." - Daily Mail
George W Bush had 'sickening feeling' over lack of WMD
"Former US President George W Bush still has "a sickening feeling" about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, US media report. The revelation comes in his memoir, "Decision Points", set to be published next week. He also reveals that he temporarily considered replacing Vice President Dick Cheney, calling him the "Darth Vader of the administration". - BBC
I won't surrender to 'poppy fascism' says Channel 4 News host Jon Snow
"News presenter Jon Snow has refused to bow to viewer demands for him to wear a poppy, branding it ‘poppy fascism’. The Channel 4 host retorted ‘On yer bike’ and ‘Hitler lost the war’ after he was criticised for not wearing the emblem. A viewer, writing under the name Stan, posted a comment on Mr Snow’s blog telling the presenter he was ‘dishonouring’ the war dead because he had refused to wear a poppy during broadcasts. The remark provoked an angry response from Mr Snow, who said soldiers had died so that people had the freedom to choose when and where not to wear the symbol." - Daily Mail
- By four-to-one Tories prefer the Republicans to Democrats
- Barring extremist activity passes muster. But banning BNP teachers doesn't.
Benedict Rogers on Platform: North Korea - Time for Action, Time for Dialogue, Time for Peace
Parliament: Andrew Turner makes the case for the Isle of Wight remaining a single constituency
Local government: Sunderland Council spent £83,228.27 on foreign trips last year
Tim Montgomerie on CentreRight: The Times' blogs should be freed from the paywall
Paul Goodman on CentreRight: A precedent for Anglo-French defence co-operation - indeed, for political union
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