THE Labour leadership contest in Scotland moved into its final phase with the close of supporting nominations on Wednesday (August 13). All that is now left before the unveiling of the new leader on September 13 are the hustings meetings and the balloting process itself.

REASON, if that can possibly be the right word in the circumstances, appeared to intervene unexpectedly in the Russian excursion into Georgia. With expectations that Moscow was about to commit a reckless blunder, or a calculated provocation, by pushing the tanks on to Tbilisi, a halt was called. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, through his mouthpiece President Dmitri Medvedev, announced in that chilling euphemism that the security situation had been “stabilised”.

ANGRY creditors of the online wedding list company Wrapit are demanding to know whether the company was trading illegally before it was placed in administration last week.

Gordon Brown’s return from holiday has been marred by reports that union leaders are canvassing Alan Johnson and Jon Cruddas as a “dream ticket” for leader and deputy leader. The move depends on the PM standing down, which is unlikely as Mr Brown tries to re-establish his grip on government with plans for a cabinet reshuffle and fresh policy initiatives.

COLOMBIA’S record on human and labour rights is set to come under scrutiny as Brussels prepares to consider extending a preferential trade agreement with the country.

THE Government indicated this week that it is determined to press on with plans to reform funding of political parties before the next general election, despite a lack of cross-party consensus and possible opposition from the Electoral Commission.

DEMANDS for the Government to raise a windfall tax on energy companies’ profits grew this week, as a new campaign started to persuade ministers to find more money to help the fuel poor and insulate more homes.

THE illusory leadership election sparked by Foreign Secretary David Miliband descended into farce this week amid speculation about who would be appointed to his Cabinet after a takeover from Gordon Brown.

EVEN before the ink was dry on the reports disclosing massive profits, and before the eye-watering record hikes in domestic fuel prices were announced, the energy companies were inside the door of Number 10. Their mission: to head off any chance that the Government might entertain a windfall tax to alleviate the plight of the increasing thousands of people being added to the millions already suffering fuel poverty, an inability to meet the bills without going short elsewhere in the family budget. The pre-emptive effort to create a bulwark against a windfall tax has already shown signs of success.

TOM McCabe, the Labour MSP and former Scottish finance minister, has told Tribune that the next leader of Scottish Labour needs to stop ringing up London to have his policies vetted.