Thousands die in Burma
Burma faces a humanitarian disaster exacerbated by its lack of openness, says a Guardian leader. The military junta began yesterday by saying that Cyclone Nargis had killed 351 people; a few hours later it was forced to raise that to 4,000 deaths, with another 3,000 missing; by the end of the day government ministers privately admitted the toll could hit 10,000 - and were asking for emergency aid from abroad. And in the middle of this catastrophe - as residents of Rangoon, the largest city, scavenged for food - state television showed opera, while the website for the military regime's English-language newspaper, The New Light of Myanamar, had for its lead story: "Senior General Than Shwe welcomes back Prime Minister General Thein Sein on his return from Thailand". Leader The Guardian
Latest from Burma 
The Burmese Junta's decision to allow foreign aid into their secretive country could have dramatic consequences, says Peter Popham. After 2004's tsunami, the Indonesian government welcomed foreign aid – and the Indonesian army looked on aghast as the military of Australia and the United States flew incessant missions in and out of the stricken city. The unexpected upshot: the end of the guerrilla war between the Free Aceh Movement and the government, and a peace agreement which still holds. But Burma is unlikely to be so lucky. Too much has been too wrong, for too long. But foreign aid would be like a long cold drink of water to a man dying of thirst. Quite aside from the immediate relief it would bring.
Peter Popham The Independent
What now for the Tories?
For David Cameron and George Osborne to throw everything at Gordon would be the action of the Opposition, not a government-in-waiting, writes Anthony Browne. Far better that they quietly enjoy their ringside seat of the Brown implosion show, while visibly preparing for their turn in the ring. If the poll success continues, Cameron won't have to worry about the siren calls from the tombstone wing of his party urging a lurch to the Right - they simply won't be audible. The party also needs to work to dispel the widespread perception, fuelled by many commentators, that the Conservatives don't have policies. In fact, in a series of green papers, the Conservatives have put out detailed proposals - such as Nick Herbert's plans to improve rehabilitation in prisons, Michael Gove's radical school reforms and Chris Grayling's proposals to make welfare work.
Anthony Browne Daily Telegraph
All change at Crewe for the Conservatives?
Labour hopes that when Tory policies emerge, a cruel heart will be exposed, says Polly Toynbee. But why would the all-conquering Tories produce a host of frighteners? No doubt they will have a neat little pledge card of toothsome bite-size canapes, followed by a few big crowd-pleasers: be prepared for a reprise of Thatcher's home-ownership-for-all crusade. There will be something green - fluffy not scary - and a policy will nod towards the poor. In the name of "reform" expect new small schools to be added to the state school mix, private companies welcomed in with tempting promises that any child can go to a private school for free. Tax cuts will be loudly eschewed, "sharing the proceeds of growth" in due course.
Polly Toynbee The Guardian
The Mole: It's class war as Labour try to regain their balance
Male narcissism
For years, women have understood how to improve their looks as a way of making themselves feel better about themselves, writes Andrew O'Hagan. Men have now learnt that lesson - so much so that in the past decade the sales of male grooming products have leapt by 30 per cent to over £800 million a year. The new narcissism is a response to something altered in the air of British life. Now men, more than ever, are subject to the kind of harassment that has defined women's views of themselves for decades. Thin, happy, beautiful, coping women have been gazing from covers since the dawn of popular magazines, but only recently have men had to judge themselves - and see themselves judged - against the pectorally pert, manicured, bronzed Adonises now beaming out so depressingly from the nation's newsstands.
Andrew O'Hagan Daily Telegraph
Comics: hypersexual supermen
