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Monday 28 December 2009
Leading article: Old-school politics
The sudden death of David Taylor, the MP for North West Leicestershire, is a tragedy for his family and his constituents. He will be remembered fondly as an old-fashioned rebel and genuinely independent thinker. Never in hock to the Labour whips, he put the interests of his constituents first, whether or not they appeared to collide with the demands of the executive.
Old school in the best sense of that word, Mr Taylor's Commons career is a reminder that Parliament contains many men and women inspired by the ideal of public service alongside those less admirable individuals motivated more by ambition for high office and personal gain.
If our politicians wish to reconnect with the public and regain respect following a truly terrible year for their profession, they could do worse than look to Mr Taylor's example. We must hope that the class of 2010 embodies something of his spirit and tenacity.
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Woolwich: The EDL were camped outside my house
Emily Jupp -
Grace Dent: I’m not sure how these people can avoid being called ‘bigots’. And the more ‘civilised’, the worse they are
Grace Dent -
The Daily Cartoon
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Woolwich murder: They killed, then they performed - these men should be starved of our attention
Frank Furedi -
Woolwich attack: The EDL will seek to exploit this evil crime for their own evil ends
Jamie Lewis
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Woolwich murder: They killed, then they performed - these men should be starved of our attention
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Woolwich: The EDL were camped outside my house
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Woolwich is only the latest act of barbarism: Muslims, we must take on this cancer in our midst
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Embrace the e-book, Stephen King. It is not for an author to tell his readers how to read
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What, let gays get married? We must be bonkers
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Debate: Is it right to call the murder in Woolwich a ‘terrorist attack’?
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