Week in Westminster - 24/07/2010

This week Steve Richards from the Independent looks behind the big stories of the week at Westminster. Nick Clegg deputised for David Cameron at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, but with many Lib Dem backbenchers unhappy with coalition life, did his performance do anything to lift their spirits? Sitting Lib Dem MPs are unwilling to criticise the coalition overtly. But we hear the concerns of Sandra Gidley, who was unseated at the general election. She tells us the party needs to do a lot more to get its policies into the statute books. Newly elected Lib Dem MP Steve Gilbert is already a government whip, and makes the case for the coalition's record so far. Mr Clegg's turn in the Parliamentary limelight was caused by David Cameron's trip to Washington. Former prime ministers, particularly Tony Blair, often found their relationship with the White House problematic. Did Mr Cameron pass his first big test on the world stage? We hear from Francis Elliott from the Times, who co-authored a biography of David Cameron, as well as John Rentoul from the Independent on Sunday, who is Tony Blair's biographer. The government has spent much of the week pushing its Academies Bill through the Commons, which has given Ed Balls ample opportunity to attack the coalition, both in Parliament and in the media. It's all valuable exposure for the Shadow Secretary of State, who wants to be the next Labour leader. Some commentators believe the close ally of Gordon Brown has gained momentum in his leadership bid in recent weeks. We discuss Mr Balls' prospects with one of his supporters, the Labour MP Tom Watson, along with Denis MacShane, who has nominated David Miliband.