Lord Ashcroft: “It’s not the apocalypse – calm down.” My Brexit limbo focus groups.
Most of the people in most of our groups – Remain and Leave, Conservative and Labour – thought we would end up leaving with some sort of deal.
“Minister, you must be in the story”
Mordaunt, Rudd and Hancock offer three examples in today’s papers of how British politics work now.
Rupert Barnes: Let’s do more to celebrate our historic counties
Remember where we are; remember what has come down to us. Our unique heritage is there to be opened up.
Effective web regulation will not be easy, and ministers must take the time to get it right
They should eschew the fire-and-forget approach which gave us the Electoral Commission.
Ross Ewing: Let’s face it. In practice, Chope was wrong about this FGM Bill. But in principle, his broader point is right.
The Christchurch MP opposes unscrutinised laws making the statute book. If Ministers are so keen on this measure, they should take it up themselves.
Why Britain wants to leave this European Union of failed nation states
In his new book, Jeremy Black traces the history of Britain’s relations with the Continent, and how it bears on the Brexit debate.
Ten reasons why the second referendum campaign is in disarray
The People’s Vote is bound up with New Labour and talk of a new party. This does nothing to help it among Tory MPs…and much to harm it among Labour ones.
Iain Dale: Replace Hammond with Gove, promote Mordaunt, bring back Raab
Plus: Snubbed by a Remainer. Delighted for Beth Rigby. Tusk japes, May spooks, Francois almost self-combusts. And: is Brexit Brecksit or Breggsit?
Cheryl Gillan: Fake news. Dark ads. Foreign interference – and out-of-date rules. Why we need an overhaul of our electoral laws.
If we do not update the rules governing our elections and referendums, their credibility faces a perfect storm of threats.
To Hell with Tusk
All he may have achieved is to make the No Deal that neither side of the negotiations wants marginally more likely.
Alex Morton: If Brexit is impossible, what is the point of politics?
The idea that leaving the EU simply cannot be done has emerged since the referendum – if true, it would shatter our political system.
Soutiam Goodarzi: The Conservative Party must up its game online – where its attacks on Labour aren’t working
Stop playing the Left’s game of taking offence and accusing people of -isms and -phobias. Instead, show some character and discuss real issues.
Shanker Singham: A UK-EU free trade agreement is perfectly feasible – I’ve written one
Such deals can seem intangible and conceptual, so I and a team of experts are today launching a proposed agreement which both sides could accept.
Hunt loses pole position in our Cabinet League Table as overall ratings languish
The Chief Whip has enjoyed something of a boost from last month’s victories on crucial votes, but the overall picture reflects a settled disenchantment.
Daniel Hannan: Venezuela. Be warned. This is the regime that Corbyn still sees, even now, as his model.
The only US sanctions in place before August 2017 were asset freezes and travel bans aimed at a handful of Chavista politicians and their cronies.