1. Bankers are Masters of the Universe again (Times) (£)

It's a paradox, says Anatole Kaletsky, but the unfocused rage against financiers is one reason for their sudden rehabilitation.

2. Two years on and all we get from the banks is two fingers (Guardian)

Deborah Hargreaves argues that the appointment at Barclays of Bob Diamond, risk-taker par excellence, throws down the gauntlet over banking reform.

3. Barclays' success comes at a price (Financial Times) (£)

The bank has kept a low profile on the subject of splitting up banks and it can afford to, writes Philip Augar. But the universal model is unstable, and government impotent to do anything about it.

4. Cameron's safe from rebels -- for now (Independent)

It is early days, says Michael Brown, and the opportunities for mayhem from the right wing of the party are still considerable. But, for the moment, it remains leaderless.

5. Labour must eat humble pie before it can return to power (Daily Telegraph)

The opposition needs to face up to its failings rather than plan more ruinous spending, says Simon Heffer. A small measure of humility about its record would go a long way.

6. Lib Dem dreams of power turn to a nightmare (Times) (£)

As their party conference approaches, says Alice Thomson, there is no upside for the junior coalition partners, who get no credit when things are going well, but share the blame when things go wrong.

7. If only the Catholic Church did PR (Guardian)

Ann Widdecombe defends the Church, saying that the only news we get is bad news because divine injunctions forbid the Vatican to boast of its good work.

8. Britain cannot afford to save on science (Financial Times) (£)

The financial crisis has not prevented countries such as the United States from investing in science and innovation, writes Martin Rees.

9. Iran's barbarity that must be resisted (Independent)

The accounts of systematic beatings and rape are almost too harrowing to read, says Joan Smith. But, weirdly, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's regime continues to have apologists.

10. Defence budget? I prefer to call it expensive showing off (Guardian)

Simon Jenkins argues that no area of public spending is so imbued with intellectual sloppiness as defence. Now, finally, the government will review this gargantuan spending.