1. Ten years of austerity? Only the British would meet that with barely a murmur (Guardian)

We appear to accept a decade of national privation, but there's no reason this unprecedented schedule of pain should be taken as inevitable, writes Aditya Chakrabortty.

2. Vince Cable is now a plausible leader-in-waiting (Independent)

Cable could avert a meltdown in support for his party, and change the dynamics of an election, says Steve Richards.

3. President Romney is just what the Tories need (Daily Telegraph)

A Republican victory is in Britain’s interests, says Iain Martin.

4. 31,347 US gun deaths a year. That’s freedom (Times) (£)

Self-defence is not the priority, writes Hugo Rifkind. Rather it’s about individual (perhaps selfish) rights drowning out everything else.

5. A slowdown is good for China and the world (Financial Times)

We should be relieved the country is finally solving its problems, says Michael Pettis.

6. The poll tax is back from the dead – it's Cameron localism (Guardian)

The council tax benefit 'reform' is yet another example of the axe being devolved – and of the poorest being hit hardest, says Polly Toynbee.

7. Don't repeat Labour's mistake on gambling (Daily Mail)

Even during the boom years, it was indefensible to encourage breadwinners to squander their earnings on gambling, says a Daily Mail editorial

8. A plan for a government apprentice programme (Financial Times)

The coalition should set an example in its drive to cut youth unemployment, writes Andrew Adonis.

9. The people’s Olympics must not be hijacked (Daily Telegraph)

The London Games are not a giant trade fair for business leaders and politicians, argues Mary Riddell.

10. America needs no more neo-imperial nonsense (Financial Times)

We must roll up the empire and put the US first again, writes Pat Buchanan.