The week that was | 13 January 2012

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk over the past week:

Fraser Nelson says the battle for Britain has begun, and explains why IDS’s welfare reforms are so important.

James Forsyth looks at the battle lines being drawn over Scotland and wonders if Spain might prevent its independence.

Peter Hoskin reports on Ed Miliband’s insipid speech and asks what’s next for the welfare reforms.

From Edinburgh, Hamish Macdonell says Alex Salmond’s running rings around Cameron.

Jonathan Jones reports on Mitt Romney’s comfortable win in New Hampshire, and takes an early look at the Obama-Romney electoral map.

Daniel Korski looks at the latest developments on an EU transactions tax, and gives four reasons why ministers haven’t got the better of their civil servants.

Lloyd Evans attends a meeting of the anti-academies club in Haringey.

And on the Arts Blog, Daniel Finkelstein is unimpressed by Jim Broadbent’s Denis Thatcher.