Tea Party rallies around Ted Cruz as he denounces “terrible” shutdown deal

Shutdown: a drama in many episodes (FT, £)
The problem with a chain of events like this is thinking people can’t be as daft as that, writes Robert Shrimpsley. 

Ed Miliband can still win the welfare debate (Times, £)
Tough love and job creation might just outweigh Labour’s biggest weaknesses, says Jenni Russell.

We will be hearing more from Ted Cruz (FT, £)
The GOP’s brinkmanship has squandered so much in such a short time and achieved nothing, says Ed Luce. 

Bent coppers must get their heads straight (Times, £)
The catalogue of police misdemeanours must be met with a change of attitude, not just a new ombudsman, says David Aaronovitch.

How the SNP can still win the vote for an independent Scotland (Guardian)
By focusing on the dismantling of the welfare state south of the border, the yes camp turn the debate around, says James Mitchell.

Casualties of war: Half a million Iraqi dead, and counting… (Independent)
Aside from the politics, the tally is unconscionably horrific, says an Independent editorial.

For haters of McCann it’s open season (Times, £)
The price of another public appeal will inevitably refuel anger against them, says Janice Turner.

George Osborne and Boris Johnson: China syndrome (Guardian)
Sadly, coalition realities restrict the scope for seizing China as “the great opportunity” Osborne proclaims, says a Guardian editorial.

The Lib Dem mud is sticking to the Tories (Times, £)
Clegg’s party is not the moderating influence it claims to be. Its smears are starting to harm Cameron, says Tim Montgomerie. 

England and the World Cup: How happy we’d be if we didn’t insist on winning everything (Independent)
Freed from the weight of expectation, the England team makes for enjoyable viewing, says Archie Bland.