Today - 03/10/2008

Presented by John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. Tony Travers of the LSE says that the resignation of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair demonstrates the extraordinary power of the office of Mayor of London. Kevin Connolly reports on the US Vice-presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Professor David Salisbury is calling on more people who are at risk to get a flu jab. He says that being immunised 'can literally save lives'. Sir Howard Davies, former chairman of the FSA, says the notion of an EU common fund for bail-outs is a non-starter. Gordon Correra reports on the current threat of terrorism. Sanchia Berg reports on the Cabinet Secretary's notebooks on the Suez Crisis. Thought for the Day with the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, and Margaret Morrissey, chair of lobby group Parents Outloud, discuss whether the return of corporal punishment would improve discipline. Former Home Secretary David Blunkett and Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, discuss the resignation of Sir Ian Blair. James Naughtie reports on the House of Representatives' vote on the 700 billion dollar bail-out plan. Dr Paul Zollinger-Read and Tam Fry of the Child Growth Foundation discuss the possibility of incentives for patients to visit GPs. Jack Masey and Vladimir Bukovsky discuss the role played by culture in the power games between countries. Nick Robinson reports on details of a Cabinet reshuffle. Writers Will Buckley and Hunter Davies discuss the literary merits of sports writing.