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.

Henry Hill: Democratic Unionists demand answers over Rowntree donations to terror-linked groups

Also: Corbyn tries to rally support with Scottish tour; Clark in Dublin to keep Ulster’s lights on during no-deal Brexit; and huge scale of Scottish deficit revealed.

Alex Morton: Too many Tory politicians say nothing worthwhile – because they have nothing worthwhile to say

What do our cliché-ridden rulers propose? Ending plastic cups, gender quotas for boardrooms and banning Tony the Tiger.

Daniel Hannan: Identity politics. It becomes impossible to avoid giving offence, because the offended keep changing the rules.

In an atmosphere when anyone can close down the conversation by saying “I feel uncomfortable”, rational discussion becomes impossible.

James Frayne: As the Guardian pushes for the Left, will the Mail do the same for the Right?

The former’s readership has risen. The latter’s leadership is changing. What will this and other changes mean for our political culture?

Henry Newman: What will the EU look like after we have left it?

Our exit in will coincide with a new cycle of European elections which will redraw political power in the European Parliament and other EU institutions.