Comment

Natalie Thomas: We should be wary of our relations with illiberal governments

Commerce and realpolitik will always have their place in British foreign policy, but we should never be an uncritical friend to regimes like Saudi Arabia or Kazakhstan.

Robin Aitken: If Britain votes to leave the EU, the BBC will be at least partly responsible

The Corporation’s dedication to protecting the Europhile case from scrutiny, and to denying the people a say, is backfiring.

James Heappey MP: Smart energy systems will enable consumers to get cheap electricity

Our white goods will speak to the smart meter so the dishwasher, washing machine or tumble drier is waiting to spring to life at the most favourable tariff.

Peta Buscombe and Benedict Rogers: It’s time to bring Magna Carta to North Korea

The BBC Director General should act on his agreement to begin broadcasting into the country. The first programme could be a documentary about King John.

Luke de Pulford: Moderate Muslims can’t and won’t defeat ISIS

We need to find advocates whose authority and Islamic orthodoxy the extremists respect. Such people exist, but they are not liberal Imams or nominally Christian politicians.

James Croft: Does school collaboration really mean higher standards?

A better approach is to give schools more freedom to make their own arrangements.

Andrew Mitchell MP: The governance of Birmingham isn’t fit for purpose. That’s why we need this new deal – and an elected Mayor

The re-warding debate is like the captain of the Titanic busily re-ordering the placement of the deckchairs while his ship is heads towards an iceberg.

Ryan Witchell: The perfect storm: HIV and the rise of Chemsex

The last 20 years have seen huge strides in combating the disease. But changing attitudes and approaches to sex present new challenges.

Alex Stafford: The Northern Irish Conservatives deserve our support

Our Party has a proud history of trying to bring normal politics to the Province. UKIP have shown that progress is possible: we must commit to making it.

David Gauke MP: We need reform as well as restraint – and the Chancellor’s statement will help to deliver both

In the last Parliament, we were able to reduce the cost of government substantially, with administrative budgets falling by 40 per cent. But we need to go further.

We ask our panel: What did you think of the Autumn Statement and Spending Review?

Including contributions from Andrew Boff, Natalie Elphicke, Mark Field MP, Alan Mak MP, Sean Worth and Zehra Zaidi.

Liam Fox MP: A debased currency. Eroded earnings. Devalued savings. Today, the Chancellor must tackle this other security threat.

This spending review brings the moment when the need to live within our means and the protection of sacred cows clash head-to-head.