Political Week on Twitter: April 2nd - 5th

Political Week on Twitter: April 2nd – 5th

Political Week on Twitter: April 2nd – 5th

Snooping, the Falklands and a foul-mouthed tirade are among the biggest topics being tweeted about in politics this week.

SNOOPING

This was the biggest story of the last week before Easter. It emerged on Sunday the government plans on legislating to modernise its powers to monitor email and other online communications. Civil libertarians were, understandably, shocked.

Nick Clegg eventually intervened to make clear he would downgrade the planned legislation to draft status. But it was too late for many.

FALKLANDS

April 2nd was the 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War. It came amid renewed tensions between Britain and Argentina over the fate of the South Atlantic archipelago. Twitter, naturally, was alive was very predictable jingoism from both sides on the day…

At least someone had a sense of perspective…

LONDON

Tempers have been flaring in the London mayoral election. In what could well be the most memorable moment of the 2012 campaign, Boris Johnson saw red against Ken Livingstone's jibes:

The level of political debate varies on Twitter, of course, but this tweet has to be praised for its originality…

Meanwhile, the London mayor was attracting flak from all sides.

But observers outside the capital were less than impressed by the standard of politics in the race for City Hall…

LOCAL ELECTIONS

This week the party leaders all made speeches setting out their stalls for May 3rd's local elections – to differing reactions…

Some conclusions could already be drawn, ahead of polling day…

… while others were in the mood for making some rather bold predictions.

ABORTION

The week is ending with a real controversy over health secretary Andrew Lansley's decision to instigate snap inspections of abortion clinics, prompting a massive political row.

Many felt that Tory right-wingers like Nadine Dorries were being placated by Lansley. Dorries, meanwhile, was ploughing straight into the debate.

The debate is growing momentum…

Meanwhile, Britain's own abortion hang-ups were put in sharp perspective on the other side of the Atlantic.