Europe’s fiscal compact will address the next financial crisis, but leave the current one to get worse and worse. And the Brits have played themselves out of Europe.
UK
The early days of the Cameron government
The first phase of David Cameron’s conservative UK government began like clockwork but rocky waters weren’t far ahead. Anthony Seldon discusses the early days, including the PM’s inner circle and the initial model of No 10.
Crikey Says: The novel notion of the superinjunction
Today, Crikey features an article by Bernard Keane that would be in contempt of court were it published in the United Kingdom.
A new type of Commonwealth
Crikey media wrap: Top-level meetings between Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and their UK contemporaries, were declared “the most substantial British visit to Australia in many decades.”
Rundle’s UK: student protests peaceful, or piss weak, depending on your politics
Down at Thirty Millbank beside the grey and misty Thames, they’re still cleaning up the glass and metal, sprayed all around by last week’s demonstration against tuition fees.
That’s not a Great Big New Tax — THIS is a Great Big New Tax
You want a big new tax? The RSPT is just mucking around. The Tories have gone large in their tax increase plans — with plenty of help from their Lib-Dem partners
Clegg and Cameron: common interests, common enemies
Don’t be surprised if Nick Clegg and David Cameron find themselves on the same side in cabinet more often than not. Were it not for the different coloured ties, it would often be difficult to tell them apart.
Why the €500 note has been dumped
The €500 note has been taken out of circulation in Britain — not because the European economy has collapsed, but because it’s making things far too easy for the country’s crooks: $1m dollars’ worth weighs an easily smuggleable (or swallowable) 1.43kg.
Meet the new odd couple: Cameron and Clegg
The UK’s new leaders, Conservative David Cameron and Lib Dem Nick Clegg, have given their first performance as a double-act, exchanging jokes and witty banter. But are they the new Crosby and Hope or Beavis and Butthead? Watch their full presser here.
Richardson: The unhappy history of British coalitions
Disraeli’s famous line that “England does not love coalitions” will once again be put to the test, and for the Liberal Democrats, a coalition comes with particularly bad precedents.
Guy Rundle: It’s really over — New Labour has gone
The UK has a new prime minister and a new government. Whatever New Labour was, it has gone, leaving much and perhaps taking more.
Spot the difference: English Sun vs. Scottish Sun In the Loop director: UK election was sheer comic genius
Armando Iannucci, the director of British political satire flick In the Loop, says he couldn’t have scripted the tragically hilarious outcome of the UK election better himself — though it would have been funnier if the fate of the country wasn’t at stake.
Guy Rundle: Rundle’s UK: Brown resigns, a Labour/Lib-Dems union beckons
Gordon Brown has finally pulled out the Samson Option, offering his resignation to a packed media horde outside No.10 Downing Street early on Monday evening.
Brown goes down
Gordon Brown has fallen on his sword, announcing he will stand down as Labour leader in a last-ditch attempt to keep David Cameron out of office and form a “Coalition of losers” with the Lib Dems.
leaked 
UK election: The secret memo threatening a Torie-Lib Dem deal
The draft of a letter revealing Torie leader David Cameron’s strong anti-EU sentiments has been leaked to the Guardian’s Observer. Nick Clegg isn’t going to like this…
Richardson: A system caught unprepared, a country still waiting
Polling problems in Britain are unforgiveable. But a system where a party can win a large majority with 35% of the vote, as Labour did last time, has bigger problems than just long queues.
Guy Rundle: Rundle’s UK: It’s dire for Lib Dems
David Cameron’s Tories have failed to win a majority in the their own right in the 2010 UK election, in a poll marred by sit-ins and protests at polling places where people were unable to vote by the time polls had closed.
Britain’s broke
Britain is moving into an era of “no-money politics”, says Camilla Cavendish. Time to tighten the budget belt and acknowledge that the UK’s real debt is way larger than the official £950 billion figure.
UK: Time for change or 1983 again?
This could be the year that Britain wakes up to the need for a change in the electoral system, writes Charles Richardson. Or it could just be another Tory landslide.
Guy Rundle: Rundle’s UK: Fingers crossed for a full-blown constitutional crisis
In 24 hours, David Cameron may be Britian’s Prime Minister presumptive. But millions are hoping that a chaotic and unresolved result will open the space for new possibilities, and fast.
PHOTO GALLERY: UK Election Eve front pages
As Britain heads to the polls, the Guardian has compiled a great gallery of all the UK newspaper front pages today. Nice to see The Star is addressing the real issues facing the nation.
Crikey Says: Brown’s choice: death, resignation or dismissal
If the hysteria frothing from today’s popular press is any guide, Britain is heading for a cliff. And if you think the British media is hyperventilating today, just wait till Friday
UK election: How will it end? Five possible scenarios
AP outlines the most likely outcomes of this week’s hotly contested UK election. None are pretty.
How “Cleggmania” could transform politics around the world
The rise of Nick Clegg and a third force in UK politics is a warning sign to all two-party systems around the world, writes former adviser to Tony Blair and Bill Clinton Mark Penn: voters want more choice.
