Now we’ll see if the far left is serious about capturing Labour

It looks so far as if Labour MPs have managed to slip a leash on their boss’s radical instincts. Has he realised he can’t overcome them, or was it merely a tactical retreat?

Farage’s iron grip on UKIP is strangling it

The contrast with the waxing fortunes of the SNP illustrates the importance of knowing when to pass the torch.

Corbyn is no boon to Scottish Labour

If the party is fool or coward enough to chase the SNP onto its philosophical home ground, it is just teeing itself up for annihilation.

Henry Hill: Scottish Labour tries to offer ‘home for nationalists’

Also: Dugdale set out to learn from Labour’s Welsh ‘success’; Villiers unveils Ulster terrorist investigation committee; SNP MSP attacks ‘subservient’ colleagues; and more.

The Tory plan to wield Corbyn against Labour

CCHQ want to exploit this red dawn to inflict deep damage on the Labour brand that will long outlast the current leadership.

To save Ulster’s government, Cameron must show he’s prepared to end it

Northern Ireland needs to be governed more than it needs a Government. If the local parties won’t cooperate, there must be consequences.

Henry Hill: Villiers warns that Ulster’s government might run out of money

Also: Plaid savage Welsh Labour’s record (but guarantee to keep them in office); and an SNP plan to fix alcohol prices risks EU’s wrath.

There’s no evidence ‘white van man’ wanted a u-turn on refugees

The Government must be prepared to stand up for its policies and keep its eyes fixed on what voters really think, not be blown off course by hot air from the media.

Conservatives for Britain announce their supporters

Meet the Tory MPs, MEPs, peers and office holders who will be campaigning for ‘fundamental change’… or Brexit.

Henry Hill: Osborne and Sturgeon exchange fire over Trident

Also: Davies attacks Plaid for effectively guaranteeing Labour rule in Wales; NI Conservatives damn UUP for quitting government; and Scottish far left launch new party.

Why Northern Ireland’s government could collapse

The province’s institutions are in critical condition because sharing power has totally failed to forge a sense of common purpose between unionists and nationalists.

It wouldn’t make sense for Corbyn to moderate as leader

It seems unlikely he could tack far enough to the centre to matter without completely alienating his power base and repudiating his own beliefs.

The challenge of shrinking the Lords

Partisanship is driving the bloat of the upper house and undermining its proper function. Reformers should be careful not to entrench it.

Henry Hill: Davidson predicts best Tory result in Holyrood history

Also: Villiers ‘unsurprised’ that Provisional IRA still exists; Scottish Labour tacks left in scramble for 2016; and Corbyn will comfort Old Labour dinosaurs in Wales.

Turmoil in China – and in the markets. In praise of Mark Field, who last year saw trouble coming

Cronyism, pollution, mounting debt, poorly allocated capital spending and the social consequences of rapid change have all been hanging over the Dragon economy.