It’s Sunday night, it’s the early hours of the morning – it’s LDV Catchup!

And this was the week in which even more MPs fell foul of the media in the great expense extravaganza, which was particularly embarrassing for Jacqui Smith. Chris Grayling came in for criticism for representing a constituency 17 miles from London but still claiming both second home allowance and high travel costs. Eric Pickles fun time on Question Time finally became available on Youtube – both with and without a Monty Python Yorkshiremen mashup. Thank goodness Nick Clegg has the answer.

It was also the week of the meeting of the G20 – and the ensuing protests gave LDV a lot of copy:
Shirley, Simon, Chris and David monitored the police. Alix Mortimer spent a day glued to Twitter tracking a hashtag. Eye witness Andrew May laid the blame for much of the unrest squarely at the police’s door. Stephen Tall took Daniel Finkelstein to task for his views – and was not chuffed at the lack of response. Catchup’s favourite Lib Dem MP Tom Brake was caught up in the police action. Colin Lloyd had his own distinct perspective the following day. And sadly, one protester died during the fracas – Alix wrote about that here.

Other guest writers this week included Alison Holmes with the politics of globalisation; John Pugh MP wrote about Asquithians and Provincials; LDV’s favourite fluffy elephant opened his diary to us once again as did LDV’s favourite writer and broadcaster Jonathan Fryer; and Antony Hook told us that Europe is closer than we think. Rob Blackie has a heart and mind of his own on e-campaigning. And Julian Harris likes gin and free trade, but is less keen on fairtrade. Nick Thornsby has advice for anyone planning a constituency dinner (or, hem hem, a wedding): go veggie, or at any rate avoid rubber chicken.

Jock Coats’ piece on land value tax generated heated debate; there were many tributes to Maggie Clay, who died this week; and to the best of our knowledge, it wasn’t an April Fool, and Clegg really was annoyed.

In numbers…
Hopping for Golden Dozen #111
Golden Dozen #110
A look back at the polls: March 2009
March 2009 – not the statporn roundup

Just the one CommentIsLinked@LDV:
Chris Huhne – Scalpel-sharp intelligence is needed to slash knife crime

You said…
No to a minimum price for alcohol
And in response to our members only survey, 80% backed Clegg on tax; you gave your views on booze, recession and Afghanistan; and you said yes to assisted suicide and banning incitement to gay hatred.