Papers cover battle over economy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8256071.stm

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The political battle over the economy is featured in many newspapers.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/15/editorial-spending-battle">The "old battle" with the Conservatives, says the Guardian</a> used to be "investment versus cuts".

But it thinks Lord Mandelson has steered the battle on to new ground, where "nice Labour cuts... in the future" confront "nasty Tory ones now".

As the Daily Mirror notes, that means the debate would seem to be one of "cuts versus cuts", prompting it to hope that "all cuts are not the same".

By common consent, the next election is going to resemble a horror film.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/sun_says/244723/The-Sun-Says.html">According to the Sun, "the Labour leadership has turned into a bizarre political version of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde".</a>

Lord Mandelson's portrayal of the Tories as "foaming, crazed savages who carry chainsaws" means <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6834532.ece"> the Times sees the next campaign as a "slasher flick".</a>

And that paper suggests the fitting title for such a battle might be "Underdogs versus Mad Dogs".

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c02e17ce-a181-11de-a88d-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1">The Financial Times compares the reluctance of Gordon Brown to use the word "cuts"</a> to the Mafia code of honour, the Omerta.

And the paper praises Chancellor Alistair Darling for being prepared to say that Mr Brown himself has begun to cut spending in six departments.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/sep/15/eddie-izzard-charity-run">The Guardian mentions how comedian Eddie Izzard</a> will run into Trafalgar Square on Tuesday.

He will have completed 43 marathons in 52 days, all in aid of Sports Relief.

Several of the papers are still rubbing their eyes at the news that Vera Lynn is at the top of the charts.

A Daily Mail cartoon shows an adolescent punk with a Mohican hairdo, remonstrating with his parents.

"Must you play that Beatles racket so loud?" he complains. "We're trying to listen to our Vera Lynn records!"

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/127360/Our-secret-habits-stealing-chips-and-raiding-the-fridge">A survey in the Daily Express says the secret activities Britons most enjoy </a> include day-time television, lounging in pyjamas, and squeezing spots.