Commentariat

Telegraph Opinion

The recession will hit hard on the home front but Gordon Brown needs to act to prevent conflicts that could tear the world apart says Mary Riddell.

Liam Fox the shadow defence secretary argues that Gordon Brown is misleading the nation by claiming that the EU does not affect military policy.

From Scotland to Samoa the birth of a new year unites us which is just as well given the 12 months that lie ahead writes Gerald Warner.

Bryony Gordon predicts that Cheryl Cole will be made a dame Tesco will go into administration and Ken will knock Boris off his bike.

2008 saw an increased amount of rudeness. This New Year we should try to make common courtesy more common.

Israel’s critics have got it wrong extremists in Gaza must be defeated before a better future can be built writes Ron Prosor Israel’s Ambassador to the UK.

Now that Mamma Mia The Movie is the UK’s biggest grossing film there are calls for a sequel. Paul Clements imagines how the rest of Abba’s catalogue might be fashioned into a followup

Simon Heffer argues that Cameron and Osborne have to start making the case for sacrifice cuts and an end to living beyond our means.

Tim Butcher in Jerusalem argues that the assault on Gaza is politically motivated and will only strengthen Hamas.

How do thousands of parents arrive at the same decision when naming their children asks Rowan Pelling.

Britain’s refusal to reinforce Afghanistan will enrage America says Irwin Stelzer.

The Church of England has announced that it intends to press ahead with the introduction of women bishops while providing “complementary” male bishops writes George Pitcher.

The Soviet leader’s triumphant imperialism is the key to his rehabilitation under Putin says Anne Applebaum.

Now everything’s going to pot one imaginative thing we could do is bring in a kind of National Service says Gill Hornby. One where young people run literacy projects or offer respite for carers or go shopping for the elderly.

Parental background should not be the crucial determinant to how well children do at school and in life says Lee Elliot Major.

Starting early opening up the elite schools and rewarding the best teachers are just some of the ways to improve social mobility writes Lee Elliot Major.

A large majority of voters are convinced that the Labour Government bears much of the responsibility for the current economic crisis says Anthony King.

Fear drives a recession but most people can’t save enough to stave off the dire effects of losing their job says Tracy Corrigan.

The fashionable antiroyal sneers of the chattering classes leave Mary Kenny proud Irish patriot cold.

Expectations are high that the new President will try to resolve the conflict at the heart of the war against terrorism says Con Coughlin but Obama will need more than slogans to do it.

Only the Geordies and Scousers know how to do New Year properly otherwise it’s best left to the Scots writes Alan Cochrane.

A care home has had its grant withdrawn by the local authority because the residents have refused to answer “intrusive” questions about their sexuality. The Government should mind its own business writes Philip Johnston.

Labour’s lax attitude to public spending to soaring debt and shady dealings has led to disaster says David Cameron.

The Queen’s instinct for hitting the nail on the head remains strong says Iain Martin.

Pinter has his place in history but his plays give audiences nothing to feel good about says Tim Walker.