Eugenics, PIE – and why the Whig Theory of History doesn’t always apply
Are aspects of the campaign for trans another example of a development welcomed by some at the time, and ultimately denounced by nearly everyone?
Highlights
Profile: Robert Buckland, the Lord Chancellor who stands between the judges…and the wrath of the Brexiteers
The latter will make much of the Government’s Constitution, Democracy & Rights Commission – promised in the Conservative Manifesto.
Robert Halfon: Let licence fee payers vote for the BBC’s next Director-General.
Plus: More Ronseal, please. And: If the Treasury wants to flick multiple V-signs at blue collar voters, it will put up fuel duty.
Sam Bowman: The Budget offers an opportunity for Sunak to move on road pricing. He should take it.
In the second piece of our mini-series, our guest author says that a switch to the scheme would most likely leave the average motorist better-off.
Johnson’s sex problem
His determination to promote more women may have a knock-on effect on the biddability of male Tory MPs.
John Redwood: In this post-Brexit budget, Sunak should spend more, cut taxes and raise borrowing
In the first piece of a mini-series, our guest author also argues the Government should look again at IR35, and make it more worthwhile to work.
Philip Booth: The planning system can be liberalised in a conservative way
Allowing developers to negotiate at a very local level to provide compensation directly to the community would factor in beauty, practicality and social costs.
“If you go ‘transgender rights are our big thing’, you are going to lose that culture war”
How the Conservatives are winning and Labour losing the working class – a pattern that the latter’s leadership candidates are set to repeat.
Neil O’Brien: How the Conservatives can do better with younger voters. And remain a compassionate party.
After crushing Labour last year, it might be tempting to rest on our laurels. But we need to act now to keep the extreme left locked out of Number 10.
Lord Ashcroft: An open letter to Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the new International Development Secretary
I was delighted to see your appointment. I confess to slight bias, given that you retweeted an article of mine calling for an end to ring-fencing of the aid budget.
Why Johnson hasn’t visited flood victims
His reluctance to do so is part of a bigger picture: a decision not to dance to the media’s tune.
Ben Gadsby: Yes, the tuition fee system is working. And, no, there aren’t too many young people in higher education.
Too often, discussions about the sector generate more heat than light – and the light falls in the wrong place. We can do better.
Is the Home Office still unfit for purpose?
If Downing Street doesn’t grip the campaign against Patel by allies of her Permanent Secretary and others, it may spiral out of control.
Labour will ignore Blair’s speech yesterday. But Tories should take note.
His message, that the Conservatives will win if the electoral battle is on identity politics and culture wars, is correct.
Iain Dale: Frost’s address on Brexit is just as important as were Thatcher’s words at Bruges
Plus: Where was the Ministers yesterday making the case for the Government’s new immigration policy? And: my advice to Carlaw.