The Sunday Review

Welcome to another edition of my semi-regular Sunday Review, with a look back at the week gone by. Check out who’s up, who’s down, who’s in, who’s out, and who’s shaking it all about.

In brief:

International events dominated the agenda this week. As if the unfolding horror of Libya wasn’t enough (and it almost was for Foreign Secretary William Hague, who has ruled out quitting despite his lacklustre performance of late), Japan was struck by an earthquake of tragic proportions. Amid the stuff of sci-fi legend – thousands of deaths, nuclear explosions – we should all hope that the worst is now over.

Closer to home Nick Clegg was in Sheffield this weekend arguing that his party has not “lost its soul” and (shockingly) unions were outraged at proposals to cut public sector pensions, forcing public employees to work longer. The poor things…

Up, up and away…

David Cameron. A good week for the Prime Minister as his previously-mocked suggestion for a no-fly zone over Libya began to seem less like opportunism, and more like leadership.

Down and out…

Prince Andrew. Allegedly cavorting with teenage masseurs in a mansion owned by a paedophile. Despite a scandal that has the ring of the eighteenth century about it, he hung on to his official trade job. Just.

Back in the day…

Pancakes-a-plenty this week, with Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday marking the start of Lent, offering the second chance of 2011 for us all to fail to stick to a resolution. And it was the hundredth International Women’s Day on Tuesday. You go girls!

Further back, in 1629 Charles I suspended Parliament, beginning an eleven year Personal Rule, marking the beginning of a rocky relationship that would see him lose his head. Also, a few decades earlier in 1566 David Rizzio, private secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered in a famous palace intrigue.

What the…?

Busy as they are, it was a relief to see the Commons take on the Lords and the media in the annual Parliamentary pancake race. Shockingly, it was the upper chamber to emerge triumphant. More time to practice, your Lordships?