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Tuesday 18 December 2012
Editorial: Excuse us, Your Majesty, for taking of the liberty...
The Queen yesterday became the first monarch to attend a cabinet meeting in peacetime since the 18th century. And although Her Majesty was accorded only observer status, which seemed a bit mean given her position as head of state, we feel that the presence of an outsider at the cabinet table, however privileged this particular outsider, is a precedent that could usefully be extended.
So how about inviting members of the public to take part in a draw to fill a vacant place at the cabinet table, say, once a month? They, too, could enjoy observer status for 30 minutes or so and watch a snatch of the functioning of government close up. If the PM was feeling generous, the visitor might even be permitted to say a word or two. And think of this: no one would have to cast around for a tract of far-flung territory to name in his or her honour; a seat at the august table would be reward enough.
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This week's big questions: How best to react to Woolwich? Has Miliband got what it takes? And is Stephen King right about ebooks?
Ian Rankin -
What, let gays get married? We must be bonkers
Mark Steel -
Dogma will always lead to murder. In the end, scepticism is the only answer
A C Grayling -
The Daily Cartoon
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Farewell, Shameless. Your heirs have work to do
Owen Jones
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Editorial: Salutary lessons from a libellous tweet from Sally Bercow
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As Hay-on-Wye opens this week, it's time for book festivals to open a new and exciting chapter
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Tim Key: 'If you don't have to tranquilise an animal to get it into your zoo it shouldn't come in'
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The Holocaust can’t be a joke – least of all in Berlin
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The new version of Ibsen's Public Enemy is a drama where democracy doesn't win any votes
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