Daniel Hannan: Where we’ve got to with the lockdown. We say we want it. Then we break it.

There has been a vivid daily demonstration of our collective double-standard in the mass of journalists swarming outside Cummings’s house.

Ryan Bourne: Welcome to the Inefficient Economy

The Government can avoid worsening it. But that requires as bold a deviation from ordinary policy as the extraordinary relief efforts we saw before.

Luke Evans: The shutdown and economic crisis. The longer the first goes on, the more likely the second becomes.

There is an unsolvable and immeasurable balance between lives and livelihoods. So we are going to need consensus across the House.

Mike Brewer: Universal Credit – the surprise hero of this crisis so far. But more daunting challenges await it.

The Government should temporarily suspend or increase the benefit cap – so that all families on UC benefit from the emergency measures.

Cummings made a reasonable case yesterday, and his critics should accept it – and move on

Any fair-minded observer would think better of him at the end of yesterday’s press conference than he or she may have done at the beginning.

Radical: A guide to trans-speak

Some of the simplest words in the English language have become points of contention when describing identity.

Natalie Elphicke: From tackling gangs to visa waivers, my five-step plan to take back control of our borders

We need to be clear and robust when it comes to tackling security and ending the abuses of European human rights laws.

Cummings. The Prime Minister is now gambling on what the ’22 does next.

Assuming no new revelations or his adviser’s resignation, he can either tough it out or order an inquiry.

Darren Grimes: In defence of Cummings

It has become increasingly clear that all this is less about what he did and entirely about who he is.

Andrew Murrison: Why we should be seriously concerned about Public Health England’s performance. And how Britain can do better.

The Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review gives us a chance to do better by focusing on the pandemics threat.

Richard Holden: Labour must work with new Red Wall Tory MPs for the common good – or it will be swept aside

Shotley Bridge hospital was mentioned in Parliament three times in ten years by my predecessors; and as often by me in the last six months. 

Cummings 1) At a stroke, the row has weakened the authority of the lockdown

If so much, as Ministers suggest, depends on common sense, nuance, context and common sense, people will draw the inevitable conclusion.

Bob Seely: While we are distracted by Covid-19, China prepares to seize Hong Kong – and crush freedom

We must now change the status of these passports to allow Hong Kong BNOs a quicker path to full UK citizenship.

Europe 2.0? How divisions over devolution could stall the Tories’ march on Cardiff

The Party is keen to keep a lid on the issue ahead of next year’s Welsh elections, but disaffected activists and challenger parties are putting it on the agenda.

David Gauke: A localised piloting, regional approach to ending lockdown. It’s what should happen – and now it may.

Recognise that different conditions apply in different places. Advance where we can. Build up evidence when we need to. Less haste, more speed.