The Specials

Conflict shows no sign of progress

Revisiting the Afghan ‘vortex’ again after five years, there seems little progress to report, only an unending stalemate

Victory is impossible in Afghanistan

It’s easy to be blinded by the valiant effort, as well as the acronyms. But the harsh truth does not change

Beware: dogs in mangers. Barking

Pity the poor Duke of Edinburgh’s award participants cold-shouldered by landowners

Bore for Britain, Dave. It’s your duty

Nail the blatant untruth on spending cuts, however dull it sounds. There is no more urgent issue

We're so friendly we want you to leave

Why did the kind Irish behave so badly to the Romanians? I know

Drop the noble platitudes, what’s in it for me?

We shouldn’t be shocked that MPs have shown us they are an interest group like any other. Politics is about who benefits

Michael Martin was right to speak out at the end

A decade hence we will be wondering why the Speaker became the villain of the piece

Don't mention that word 'cut'

Politicans are terrified of being portrayed as cutters of public spending. But why?

Beeps on the radio - but I wasn't swearing

The story of my live interview from the top of a London bus

A man propelled by anger and pride

Gordon Brown has brought his Government to its knees. Shackled together, they crawl hopelessly on

Vote Labour, vote mayhem

Old Labour has gone, Blairism has faded away and Brownism has turned out not to exist

Not all MPs are pigs. Most are sheep

MPs do not believe that most of them have done anything seriously wrong. Handing back the money is not an admission

Waiting for Gordo

Like actors petrified on a stage, Labour seems unable to rid itself of Gordon Brown. But its very survival is at stake

Derbyshire Tories scent council victory

Victory may be within reach for Conservatives in Derbyshire after 28 years of Labour rule at the county council

Please uncover your face. It's our custom

Why are women's faces concealed in East London but not in Damascus?

Kick them - but don't kick all the stuffing out

At its best the House of Commons can be rip-roaringly effective. Indiscriminate public fury is in danger of destroying it