17/03/2012

Available for over a year

.Jackie Ashley of The Guardian looks behind the scenes at Westminster. There has been much speculation over what taxes the chancellor might raise or cut in his budget next week. Tim Farron Liberal Democrat and David Ruffley Conservative discuss the options. Recent events in Afghanistan have started to pose questions about the effectiveness of the British and US mission there and the timing of the withdrawal of troops. Sir Menzies Campbell a former Liberal Democrat leader and Patrick Mercer a Conservative MP who was formerly an officer in the armed forces assess the current strategy. Plus David Cameron's highly successful trip to the USA as observed by David Rennie of the Economist and Lance Price a former special adviser to Tony Blair. And Margaret Hodge chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee engages with former senior civil servant Sir Richard Mottram on the vexed question of the accountability of the civil service. The editor is Marie Jessel.