Profile: Geoff Norcott – the “only” Conservative comedian
He could have a future as a political commentator of unusual perceptiveness, who understands that everything is in flux.
Profile: Viktor Orban – migrant-hostile, anti-liberal…but pro-EU, and more pragmatic than he seems
The EU bureaucracy, with its supranational claims, is a godsend to him. But he is more pragmatic than he looks. He does not want a Hungary without allies.
Profile: Damian Hinds – liberal Catholic, social mobility wonk, and new Education Secretary
it is quite conceivable that the Left of the party, casting around for a leadership contest standard bearer, will decide that he fits the bill.
Profile: Henry Willink, the Conservative who proposed a National Health Service before Bevan created one
Yet the role of the Tories, under Churchill’s leadership, in the development of the NHS is today entirely forgotten, and so is his Health Minister’s contribution.
Profile: Arlene Foster, standing firm for Britain in Belfast
The DUP leader has not yet shown she knows how to make the strange machinery set up in Stormont work.
Profile: Sue Gray, civil servant – and “the most powerful woman in Britain”
Reshuffles, reorganisations, investigations – the Director General of the Propriety and Ethics Team in the Cabinet Office is always in on the action.
Profile: Penny Mordaunt, a risqué but not revolting potential Tory leadership contender
We republish Andrew Gimson’s profile of the new International Development Secretary, who backs Brexit “and knows how to make a splash”.
Profile: Gavin Williamson – “He makes Francis Urquhart look like Eddie the Eagle.”
Now that he has made the leap from Chief Whip to Defence Secretary, we republish our Profile from shortly after he transitioned from Team Cameron to Team May.
Profile: David Gauke, today defending Universal Credit…later to be uncorked as Chancellor?
“He is the Red Adair of the administration – the middle-order batsman who, if the openers are out cheaply, ensures that the middle order does not collapse.”
Profile: Tom Tugendhat, successful insurgent and a possible future Tory leader
With Rees-Mogg’s backing, how can he fail?
Profile: the European Court of Justice – about which much is often said, and of which little is usually known
Each side in the Brexit debate regards its position as the only one a sane person could take, while the other side’s arguments are madly exaggerated and provocative.
Profile: Finsbury Park Mosque – An extremist past, claims of Muslim Brotherhood influence, and an establishment present
It feeds the homeless, does inter-faith work and welcomes dignitaries – including Malia Bouattia; a Vice-Chair of Stop the War, and Jeremy Corbyn, the local MP.
Profile: George Osborne, who could have stayed in Westminster, and returned to the Cabinet. But who left, and is trying to destroy May.
The former Chancellor has taken to the role of newspaper editor, but some will see his attacks on the Prime Minister as unhelpful.
Profile: The rules of war
International humanitarian law may be imperfect, but it can ameliorate some of the worst horrors of armed conflict – such as the Khan Sheikhoun gas attack.
Profile: Elizabeth Truss, who does not quite know how to talk to the judges, and vice-versa
The Lord Chancellor has enraged the judiciary by not speaking up for it in what it saw as an hour of need.