Redacting this week

This week has been another of high politics.

The feeling of lunging from one crisis to another has set not just with the government but with Parliament itself. Domestic politics seemed to cover old ground, u-turns, Iraq and MPs expenses. Foreign Affairs have also demonstrated a high-point in politics, demonstrations in Tehran, new agreements in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty and even the Grande Dame of French politics, Mrs Chiraq, keeping the husband in line.

The announcement, at the start of this week, of an inquiry into the Iraq War was interesting in several respects. For Gordon's own reputation it was perhaps damaging. It demonstrated he had held no consultation with own, let alone others, party.

The nature of the inquiry, in private and by a Privy Council body, did no favours for the idea of openness and transparency. The later u-turn, agreeing that parts of the inquiry could be held in public, came after a heavy and largely unprecedented measure of criticism from leading former civil servents and former Army high brass itself.

Speaker Martin's final days have also done little for the reputation of MPs. The delicious hypocrocy of Cameron et al praising his abilities seemed at odds with the line taken only a few weeks ago.

Speaking of Speaker Martin, the man effectively in charge of the House, I wondered if he knew of the process of redaction. Most MPs vermentally assert they had no knowledge of the sheer level of black ink that would be applied to receipt and forms themselves. This again seems a contradiction to the idea of openess in Parliament.

However, this proves crucial in understanding the expenses scandal. Aside from police investigating several MPs, the process of redaction demonstrates that MPs have not been able to largely regulate themselves. The House authorities seem, at no point, to have grasped the seriousness of the level of public distrust and anger, and continue to be blistfully unaware.

Turning to Iran, Martin Amos, the author and poet, made an ominous prediction on the BBC's This Week. The strength of force in Tehran plays, he said, a crucial role.

Indeed, the old guard have so far with held back from a full on assault, perhaps cautious of the lessons of the Revolutionary Bodies own history, emerging from the over-throw of a deeply unpopular ruler. In the coming days and weeks, particular after the intervention of the Supreme Leader, it shall be interesting to see how authorites, and protestors, re-act.

The country now risks being very close to completely overthrowing the Islamic system all together or again surpressing the voices of a very considerable proportion.

Who knows what next week could only hold...