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  1. Politics
25 March 2010

In this week’s New Statesman: could the recession return?

Is this the double-dip recession? | John Pilger: Obama’s permanent war | Rufus Wainwright interview.

By George Eaton

ns cover

Following the final Budget before the election, this week’s New Statesman warns of stormy waters ahead for the British economy. In our cover story, David Blanchflower predicts that the economy could suffer a “double-dip” recession if public spending is cut too early.

Elsewhere, our political correspondent, James Macintyre, tells the story of how Alistair Darling fought off his Labour opponents and earned a reputation as a man you could trust in a crisis. But he reports that Darling may walk away from politics altogether if Labour loses the election.

In the columns, John Pilger attacks Barack Obama’s “permanent war”; Rafael Behr looks at the political implications of the lobbying scandal; Sophie Elmhirst explores the rise of the political wife; and Andrew Stephen warns that Obama’s health-care reform bill is riddled with flaws.

In The Critics, Rufus Wainwright discusses death, failed love and Lady Gaga with Suzy Klein; Rachel Cooke gives her verdict on Sophie Dahl’s new television series; and Ryan Gilbey reviews the latest superhero film, Kick-Ass.

Also don’t miss our special feature on the greatest political songs of all time. You can listen to the top 20, including Bob Marley, John Lennon, the Who and Marvin Gaye, on our website now.

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