The government suffered six defeats in the House of Lords this week as Iain Duncan Smith hoped to make progress with his controversial welfare reform bill. A rebellion in the House of Lords led by independent Church of England bishops and former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown was successful (for now at least) in disrupting a government cap of £26,000 for benefit claimaints.
The bill will get another push in the Commons, and the government - which has the weight of public opinion on its side - show signs of relishing the battle.
In the studio to discuss the growing importance of the (unelected) Lords in this parliament: Guardian columnists Jackie Ashley and Michael White and our social affairs editor Randeep Ramesh.
Also this week: we look at US politics, and how things are shaping up in the race to take on Barack Obama in November's presidential election. It was only last week that bookmakers were paying out on a Mitt Romney victory. But former House leader Newt Gingrich has stormed into contention as the contest moves on to next week's crucial Florida primary. Our Washington correspondent Richard Adams has been following all the twists and turns.
Plus: with rumours circling that Boris Johnson may have his eye on a return to parliament, we look at this year's London mayoral election. Polls show Labour's Ken Livingstone is neck and neck with Johnson after a successful month of campaigning.
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