Parliament's about to pull stumps for its ludicrously long summer break, and we're taking the chance to do the same. But we're not going anywhere until we've chewed over the final week off the session at Westminster and given some thought to the year that's passed – and the year ahead. The biggest announcement in the Commons in recent days saw Ed Miliband spell out his green dreams. The Guardian's chief leader-writer, Julian Glover, gives us the lowdown – he finds plenty of interest, despite the absence of hard information about paying for the proposals. Indeed, we hear from the Guardian's high priest of greenery, George Monbiot, and even he finds things to welcome in the government's plans.
Also joining us in the pod is the Guardian's head of comment, Georgina Henry. As the government's parliamentary standards bill – designed to clear up the mess of MPs' expenses – starts to come unstuck, her real concern is that the chance is being missed for a bigger overhaul of the political system. Fair votes, Lords reform and party funding – none of it, she despairs, is going to happen despite a public that is crying out for change.
Last but not least, our in-house sage, Michael White, reviews the year as a whole. He charts Gordon Brown's journey from zero to hero and back again over a tumultuous 12 months. Crystal ball gazing is a dangerous sport, but the one prediction we are prepared to make is that there will be a general election before the year is over. Labour knows Gordon Brown can't afford another run of months like the one he's just had, which is why one of our guests is putting a wager on him being out before the election comes. The only way to find out which is to turn on and tune in.
