Week in Westminster - 14/11/2009

Andrew Pierce of The Daily Telegraph looks back over the week’s events in Westminster. A week of remembrance for those killed in conflict brought the war in Afghanistan into sharp focus this week. Two MPs with military backgrounds Eric Joyce (Labour) and Adam Holloway (Conservative) discuss government strategy in Afghanistan. The last week of the parliamentary session, is a time to complete outstanding legislation. One aspect of the Coroner’s and Justice Bill (now an act) allowing sexual infidelity to be considered a qualifying trigger in murder cases, has produced a lot of controversy. The Shadow Attorney General Edward Garnier thinks it is bad law, and Emily Thornberry (Labour) regards it is necessary for the protection of women. Also in the programme: Is nuclear power the best solution to our energy problems? Zac Goldsmith, a Conservative candidate in the next election and an environmental campaigner, discusses Britain’s energy problems with Des Turner,a Labour member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee. And should the Foreign Secretary David Milliband invoke the charge of anti-semitism when criticising the Conservatives for their alliances in the European parliament? Lord Young, former Conservative cabinet minister says it is “gutter politics,” and Louise Ellman, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement says he is only doing his job.