Richard Kemp and Lee Rotherham: The backstop’s not the only danger in May’s deal. Its defence plans will undermine NATO.

The UK will then, by negligence, have contributed to a catastrophic defence rift between the continents of Europe and North America.

Sanders is a refreshing change from the careerists who infest American as well as British politics.

So though he presents himself as anti-Trump, he has something in common with him. And there could, astonishingly, be a future for socialism in America.

Alastair Thompson: Corbyn – an apologist for the tyrant who rules Venezuela by fear. Let a Commons vote put him on the spot.

Let’s see if Labour stands with Venezuela’s oppressed. For what party could truly say that it supports labour, while lending support to the butchery of labourers?

Jonathan Clark: Representative democracy is waning, direct democracy is waxing. So its MPs themselves who will “come to heel”

The object of the exercise is to absorb within a stable democratic practice a new element which, if unabsorbed, may have fatal effects.

Lord Ashcroft: Trump, his opponents, and the voters – halfway through his (first?) term

As a woman in Iowa told us: “It’s like the CEO of the company I work for. I don’t care if you’re the nicest guy in the world. I care that I’m going to have a job from day to day.”

Ben Roback: Three weeks into a record shutdown – and no sign of a compromise

The President’s strategy of making a resumption of normal government depend on funding for his wall doesn’t appear to be working.

Stephen Booth: There are reasons to be sceptical about the Brexit deal. But its security provisions aren’t one of them.

At the root of concerns seems to be a fear about what might happen, rather than what the Withdrawal Agreement actually says.

Rebecca Lowe: Why the taxpayer should fund space exploration

There is a fundamental human need and desire to know more about the universe, to engage with it, to play our part and explore and achieve.

Michael Fabricant: It’s high time for us to rediscover our gung-ho spirit

Here in America, those I meet are surprised by Britain’s reluctance to let go of the apron strings that seem to tie us to the EU.

Lord Ashcroft: America – the mid-terms and beyond

The 2020 race, then, looks wide open and depends on two things outside the President’s direct control.

Luis C.deBaca: Modern Slavery. The Government’s victim protection scheme is deeply flawed. It needs reform.

This Bill, tabled by Ian McColl and Iain Duncan Smith will ensure that trafficking victims gain specialist support and an alternative to deportation.

“My views on treating allies with respect…are strongly held.” Mattis’ resignation letter: full text

“Because you have the right to have a Defense Secretary whose views are better aligned with yours…I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.”

Chris Grayling: Here at Transport, we’re getting ready for Brexit – whatever happens. But here’s why I’m backing May’s deal.

If I had been offered this before the referendum in 2016, I would have seen it as a much better alternative to the status quo inside the EU.

Ben Roback: From Presidents 41 to 45 – different backgrounds, different manners, different beliefs, and a different Republican Party

The older Bush was a man of free markets, small government, global engagement…and good manners.

A day to honour George Herbert Walker Bush

This article was originally published on the anniversary of the former President’s election. We re-issue it today as news comes of his death.