15 October 2007
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From the Editor…
Welcome to the New Statesman website. Whether you are a new reader or an existing one - online or via the magazine - I hope you'll enjoy the great writing, fresh ideas and provocative debate that make the New Statesman Britain's award-winning current affairs weekly
Cover story
An abuse of power and the hounding of an official
Charging Derek Pasquill under the Official Secrets Act is an abuse of state power, designed merely to spare the embarrassment of ministers, particularly Jack Straw
Features
Man of straw
So it was Jack Straw who counselled against an early election? Martin Bright reports on a politician who, after the event, always seems to be in the right
Persuading the people
Now that the election has been postponed, Gordon Brown must start to define his vision for Britain far more clearly. This means leading public opinion, rather than merely following it.
The fat and the lean
The pre-Budget report presages an era of financial uncertainty, borrowing and squeeze.
A new taste for blood
Tories will build on the past, not break from it, as "old school" politics leaves MPs quietly jubilant.
Oh brother
Our special focus on Poland with analysis of politics and society. Plus over here Work, save, go or stay by Marek Kohn and ‘We’re good workers’ by Jo Barrett
Against the odds, it rocks
Yet another show going behind the scenes in TV - but this has potential 30 Rock Channel 5
Tactical Briefing
From: The Unit To: GB Subject: Recriminations
Essay
No leaders
Young black Britons don't need Big Man role models like Jesse Jackson. They need local mentors - and a recognition that their British culture is valuable and unique.
Regulars
Commons Confidential
Donny Osmond gets head start over the Babycham Kid
The gossip from the Westminster village
Signs they're a-changin' No 3999
Set by Hank T Romein With Bob Dylan on the syllabus to inspire you, we asked you to pick a favourite song, from the 1920s to recent chart-toppers, and subject the lyric to rigorous A-grade lit-crit analysis
Culture
Sex, lies and videotape
The "great artists" on show in an adults-only exhibition at the Barbican have more excuses than pornographers do, but some of them are just as exploitative
Secret history
The roots of Portuguese fado in militant, working-class Lisbon were airbrushed by a fascist regime
Theatre
Who's afraid of the dark?
An interactive adaptation of Poe's stories is not for the faint-hearted The Masque of the Red Death Battersea Arts Centre, London SW11
Film
Move over, Jamie Oliver
Pixar's latest offering is mouth-watering - if you can stomach a meal served by rats Ratatouille (U)dirs: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava Princess (18) dir: Anders Morgenthaler
Books
Generation X+1
Douglas Coupland defined the angst - and gadgets - of 1990s geeks everywhere. But now he's grown up, he just wants to be nice.
The price of freedom
The Shock Doctrine: the Rise of Disaster Capitalism Naomi KleinAllen Lane, the Penguin Press, 512pp, £25
Awkward beauty
A Treatise of Civil Power Geoffrey Hill Penguin Books, 64pp, £9.99
Spin, spin, sugar
Boomsday Christopher Buckley Allison & Busby, 318pp, £10.99
Thick and thin
John Sutherland on the miracle cures for sale in US bookshops
Got a new motor
Tuk Tuk to the Road Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent and Jo Huxster The Friday Project, 288pp, £8.99
The surreal deal
Manchán’s Travels: a Journey Through India Manchán Magan Brandon Books, 288pp, £9.99
