Robin Lustig

Journalist and broadcaster

I have a theory about why the anger has gone out of mainstream politics -- and it revolves around television. The telly-box is what the media studies people call a "cool medium" -- it is much kinder to soft-spoken, reasonable people with an ample store of pithy sound-bites than to tub-thumping ideologues who could make themselves heard in the far corners of Trafalgar Square without the aid of a microphone.

Sarah Ludford

Lib Dem European justice spokeswoman and London MEP

The Abu Qatada saga demonstrates the challenging complexity of extraditing suspected criminals and terrorists through bilateral arrangements. Of course there are special features in that case and it concerns a non-EU country, but it still serves to highlight the sheer absurdity of the Conservatives' desire to pull out of the European Arrest Warrant.

Peter Kellner

President of YouGov, political commentator and journalist

My, we are a gloomy lot. Last week, I discussed the possible impact of a triple-dip recession. Last Thursday's GDP figures suggest that Britain's economy has so far avoided this fate. However, it is also clear that the government's hopes of steady growth of 2 - 3% a year have yet to be realised. And YouGov research for the Resolution Foundation finds that five years of economic troubles have left a deep mark on public opinion.

Matthew Oakley

Head of Economics and Social Policy, Policy Exchange

Commentators who support the changes will focus on the simplification of the welfare system and improvement in work incentives that this new benefit will herald. Those worried about the impacts will wring their hands about likely difficulties with on-line claims, financial management and a small number of people who stand to receive less than under the current system. Both of these groups have a point.

Rob Atkinson

Actor, writer and carer

The coalition government have, up to now, been fastidiously careful not to rattle the cage of a section of society well-known for its mainly Conservative leanings. It seems likely that any dent in this traditional groundswell of support could have disastrous consequences for the Tory Party's chances of remaining on the political map come 2015 and election time.

Sir Christopher Meyer

Former British Ambassador to the United States and Germany, former Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission

The politicians' draft Royal Charter is supposed to be a wizard wheeze to entrench "voluntary independent self-regulation", Judge Leveson's Orwellian oxymoron, without crossing David Cameron's Rubicon into statutory regulation. Of course, it does nothing of the kind. It is state regulation by any other name.

Melanie Ward

Head of Advocacy, ActionAid UK

Over in Brussels, a heated debate is underway about a sensible new proposal to cap the amount of food that is burnt as biofuels. But so far, a number of European energy and environment ministers including UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey cannot see the need for such a cap.

Alastair Roderick

Research Fellow at the Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems

I would respectfully submit that there is no such thing as a triple-dip recession. It is not as if the periods of expansion separating the dips were characterised by Chinese (or even German) growth. We have instead been in a six-year economic stall where growth has barely fluctuated by more than a few tenths of a per cent either side of zero. Growth, or lack of it, has largely become a rounding error.

Salma Haidrani

Sociology student at University of Sheffield, passionate about current affairs, feminism, gender equality and women’s empowerment

Whilst I celebrate the motion, a significant percentage of the student population has not welcomed the possibility of a BME Sabbatical Officer. Most notably, some members of the LGBT and disabled community have claimed that they do not enjoy the identical privilege of having an LGBT and Disability Students' Officer.

Carla Buzasi

Carla Buzasi is editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post UK

I've nothing against Winston Churchill popping up on our money - it's not actually the first time, having previously appeared on 1965 five-shilling pieces. Although it seems a little rude he's kicking off the only woman, the Queen not withstanding, who currently appears on any British banknote, social reformer Elizabeth Fry. Still, if the public had its way, it could be David Beckham staring back at us as we fork over our fivers, or even Robbie Williams. Those being just two of the more contemporary figures offered up by well-meaning Brits.

Bonnie Greer

American-born, London-based playwright, author and novelist

The fact is, as you know, tourists don't flock to this great country to watch the footie, or eat in the restaurants. They come to visit the stately homes, for example. How much are all the volunteers who work in these places worth? Culture, one industry that is actually growing , has always punched above its weight. It is one of the key factors in making the UK the Number One nation in the world for the arts.

Jamie Bartlett

Head of the Violence and Extremism Programme and the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos

Making sure security service and policing powers are up to date and adequate - of course while avoiding unnecessary intrusion, misuse and expense - is something we all have a very big interest in.

Chris Leslie

Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury

An unprecedented triple-dip recession has been averted, but yesterday's lacklustre growth figures mean our economy is simply back to where it was six months ago. This continues the overall picture of a flatlining economy in Britain ever since George Osborne's last spending review. In fact, this is now the weakest recovery for over 100 years.

Tony Dolphin

Senior Economist and Associate Director for Economic Policy, IPPR

The importance of these figures isn't whether or not we have entered a triple dip, but that the UK economy is stuck in a rut. Real GDP remains 2.6 per cent below its peak level five years ago and has increased by just 0.4 per cent over the last two and a half years. After five years, this is disappointing news not only for the government but for businesses and consumers, who are experiencing a continued squeeze on their living standards.

Maria Miller

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Women and Equalities

It almost goes without saying that the arts have an intrinsic value - the 'arts for arts sake' argument has been made countlessly and convincingly. But, clearly we are living in tough times - and we therefore need to make sure that the incredible instrumental potential of culture is both appreciated and maximised.

Jeremy Cook

Chief Economist at foreign exchange company, World First

The truth is that a new national currency would be an entirely unappealing prospect, but the options outside of that scenario are hardly appealing either. It's going to be one of the key issues that the people of Scotland will have to think hard about, before the big vote in 2014.