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We are delighted that the government has announced that its plans to privatise the Royal Mail are all but dead. While the government suggests their plans to sell a 30% stake in the Royal Mail have been kicked into the long grass for economic reasons there is no question that the political pressure mounted by Compass in coalition with the CWU, other organisations and most importantly with your support dealt the deathblow.

The self-styled 'sporting outfitters of intellectual distinction' at Philosophy Football launch their philosophy cricket range with opening bat CB Fry's musings on cricket as a cult and philosophy.

Where were you when it happened last week? Were you shocked? Did your call your friends?
I am not taking about Michael Jackson - the other big news of last week. Didn't you hear? Last Friday the final reports of the Youth Citizenship Commission finally peered into the public domain. Whilst I wouldn't have expected front page coverage, a low-key Westminster reception was an inauspicious end to what had been a key part of the constitutional reform package announced by Gordon Brown upon becoming Prime Minister.

If Lord Mandelson can't find time to part-privatise Royal Mail, a new solution must be found, or the Tories might privatise all of it

Please join us for the launch debate of Compass Chair Neal Lawson's new book All Consuming. The meeting takes place in the House of Commons, Committee Room 9 on Monday the 13th July at 6.30pm. Neal will outline some of the ideas in the book, whilst Madeleine Bunting from The Guardian and the author Oliver James have agreed to respond.

In a letter published in today's Guardian a group of leading progressive's call for a rethink on what are some of the most punitive aspects of the Welfare Reform Bill.

At Compass we have always maintained that people should be protected from the more pernicious aspects of the market and that welfare should be a genuine safety net, not something to kick you when you are down.

Copy the italicised text below and email Ministers now to tell them that sanctions are not appropriate for people suffering severe mental health problems.

It is Compass's aim to provide a website that is an open space for intelligent, informed and high quality debate on progressive policies, visions, campaigns and ideas; a place that is inclusive, accessible and welcoming.

The Welfare Reform Bill begins its fifth day of the Committee Stage in the House of Lords. A small group of Independent and Liberal Democrat peers are putting up a fight; putting forward amendments and testing the government's resolve.

The news of the last few weeks from the Daily Telegraph, of MPs claiming duck ponds, moat cleaning and other sundries as essential items for their work as MPs has had a horrible tragicomic fascination.