Howard Flight: There must be more to Conservative Government than putting up taxes

It is the spending that needs to be controlled and reduced, rather than taxes increased yet further.

Nicky Morgan: May’s coming conference speech. We must see the woman who danced in Africa – not the PMQs version

The Prime Minister should speak over the heads of Party members and the media to the people that she most identifies with: middle of the road voters.

Syed Kamall: Juncker’s legacy to date. The loss of a member state. And the slated rise of a crony.

I am excited by Britain’s post-Brexit prospects but will not stop caring about the EU when I close my Brussels office door for the last time in March.

Iain Dale: Damage limitation – and why Johnson may have briefed today’s story about his private life.

Plus: The delusional traitors who back Russia. Bonkers Adonis. And: The soft coup d’etat against Trump.

Daniel Hannan: It should be obvious, not controversial, to seek a deep friendship with our EU neighbours

In the third piece in our mini-series evaluating the EEA, our columnist wonders how both sides managed to become so hostile to moderate concepts.

Alex Morton: The purpose of education is to give people skills for life. And we have lost sight of it.

It would be wrong to try to create a system of conservative indoctrination because so-called progressives have indoctrinated children and students in other ways.

James Frayne: The voters most enthusiastic about state action on childhood obesity are…Conservative ones

So new research suggests. Private businesses must take at least as much responsibility for this state of affairs as Tory politicians.

Henry Newman: Has the Prime Minister’s change of tack on Brexit bought any goodwill with her EU counterparts?

We will know soon enough, when the leaders reassemble for the next opportunity to break the impasse.

Chloe Westley: Identitarianism – an ugly word for an ugly belief

We are more complex than identitarians give us credit for. No combination of characteristics, experiences and choices are the same; and there are as many combinations as there are people.

Iain Dale: May understands the importance of trade with Africa, even if the usual suspects sneer at the idea

Plus: Why Leave.eu supporters are more in step with Conservative policy than Soubry; and: shaking things up on the airwaves.

Henry Hill: Salmond quits the SNP and takes Scottish Government to court

Also: Government accused of ‘appeasing the IRA’ over Ulster veterans; Welsh Labour leadership hopefuls in data row; and DUP urge end to Stormont boycott.

Garvan Walshe: The world sorely needs militant democrats

McCain knew that politics should be a fierce contest, restrained by respect for civilians and one’s enemies.

Robert Halfon: I agree with Corbyn about democratising the BBC (or, rather, he agrees with me)

Plus: Why call McCain a maverick?; the Labour MPs who deserve an award for courage; and who is the right’s Artist Taxi Driver?

Nicky Morgan: We all gain when our politicians have some time and space to think

It is madness to think that our leaders aren’t entitled to go on holiday and gain a bit of perspective.

Iain Dale: Where is the cutting edge to the BBC’s business coverage?

Plus: Norcott and Brandreth triumph at Edinburgh. Turnbull and Dutton circle in Australia. And: Corbyn’s shoddy copy of the Trump playbook.