The week that was

Matthew d'Ancona congratulates Marcus du Sautoy on his appointment to the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science.

Mary Wakefield asks the Debbie Purdy question.

The Skimmer attacks the BBC over BrandRossgate.

Fraser Nelson says George Osborne needs to recast his policy for the new era, and marks the moment Alistair Darling read the last rites over the fiscal rules. 

James Forsyth highlights the Japanese experience of pump-priming, and questions what public service Russell Brand's radio show performed.

Peter Hoskin asks: Labour sharpens its attack, but to what end?, and defends David Cameron's performance in PMQs.

Daniel Korski asks: What next in Afghanistan?

Stephen Pollard experiences the banking industry's problems in microcosm.

Melanie Phillips gives her take on the BBC row.

Clive Davis points out the ultimate Obama conspiracy theory.

Trading Floor analyses daylight savings time.

And Americano watches John McCain's final week of campaigning get off to a bad start.