Emily Carver: An online sales tax would be a clear-cut case of levelling down
The belief that by hammering one sector of the economy you’ll help another is more reminiscent of socialist ideology than free market conservatism.
Robert Halfon: Let’s extend the school day to help children catch up after Covid – and civil society can step in
Organisations should be invited in, to offer pupils professional mental health support, as well as sports activities and academic catch-up tuition.
Andy Street: My transport plan will get the West Midlands moving as never before
From reversing the Beeching cuts to pioneering ‘Very Light Rail’, it shows what a Conservative mayor, working with Government, can do.
Neil O’Brien: Imperfect vaccines, new variants, domestic mutations. Why there must be no rush out of lockdown.
We need to pace ourselves. We don’t want to go for a big bang reopening only to trigger a new wave and be forced backwards.
Iain Dale: Ofcom was right to revoke the license of CGTN. It shouldn’t stop there, though.
Plus: It’s been a bad week for Starmer. And: is it time to bring back the big beasts of the Labour jungle?
Henry Hill: As the Scottish Government digs in, calls grow for a judge-led inquiry into the Salmond scandal
Also: Downing Street shakes up the Union Unit as it goes on the attack over the SNP’s botched handling of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
Stephen Booth: Now our own Government says it may trigger Article 16 in Northern Ireland. Is the move a bluff? Or is it for real?
The EU’s missteps over the last week have provided an excellent opportunity to seek changes to the Protocol that might provide for a more durable settlement.
Ryan Bourne: How many lives will we save by choosing our own vaccination programme, not the EU’s? Let’s start at nine thousand.
It’s safe to say the UK will have saved tens of thousands of additional lives relative to going at the EU-4’s pace over the coming months.
Daniel Hannan: Ignore the Europhile sneers. Joining the Pacific bloc marks the rebirth of Global Britain.
The CPTPP is preferable to the EU because it elevates mutual recognition over harmonisation.
James Frayne: A clear majority of people think the police do a good job – but want them to be tougher enforcing lockdown
Polls very strongly suggest the public are much more irritated with the police not enforcing basic rules with greater severity.
Victoria Hewson: Holding the Care Quality Commission to account for its failure to protect children
We trust that the Health and Social Care Committee will be looking into this in the course of its inquiry into young people’s mental health.
Howard Flight: Priority spending should go towards training the next generation
I question whether our reformed apprenticeship system goes far enough.
Richard Holden: Here in County Durham, my sense is that moderate Remainers are now saying “I’m glad we’re out”
The Prime Minister has got Brexit done and is delivering on vaccines. Meanwhile, Starmer has nothing positive to say.
David Gauke: The UK, the EU, vaccines – and future relations. Here, jingoistic politicians. There, Trumpian ones. Bodes badly.
The EU’s triggering of Article 16 is premature, provocative and sets a precedent that will be cited by those unwilling to accept the consequences of the Protocol.
Iain Dale: Johnson can say all the right words. But not in a way that people relate to, as Blair and Cameron could.
Plus: Sturgeon is ridiculous to criticise the PM’s trip to Scotland. And: Now’s not the time for a Coronavirus inquiry.