Bim Afolami: The Olympic model of spotting and developing talent should be applied to academia

We need to focus on developing our brightest and most talented people, in a range of different fields, from a young age.

Emily Carver: Politicians’ refusal to discuss NHS reform is cowardly at best and sinister at worst

Failing to implement – or even entertain the notion of – change helps no-one, aside from perhaps a handful who use the health service for cheap populism.

Garvan Walshe: We can be sure that those who have been vaccinated won’t die of Covid. So the case for lockdowns is vanishing fast.

It’s one thing to endure them to prevent people dying, and for a relatively short period of time; quite another because we might return to this situation.

Mattie Heaven: Iran’s government is a terrorist regime. British Ministers must face this truth – and act on it.

Maintaining the current diplomatic relations would be a devastating mistake – potentially with fatal consequences.

Kristian Niemietz: What difference does the size of the state make to how is deals with Covid? None.

If it were the critical factor, Belgium should have been superbly prepared for the pandemic. Alas, it was not.

The Deal in Detail 4) The environment and energy

The fourth of a series of pieces from Policy Exchange looking at specific issues that arise from the Brexit trade deal.

Garvan Walshe: Gloomy Sturgeon projects competence. The Government doesn’t – and the Union may be the price it pays.

The Scottish leader has always tried to temper expectations about the country’s fight with Covid. This could pay off in an independence referendum.

Robert Halfon: This time round, let’s keep the schools open – and not risk an epidemic of education poverty

And if the Chief Medical Officer says that the situation is rapidly becoming much worse, and that urgent action is needed, who am I to argue?

Iain Dale: Stop this utter selfishness and pathetic whinging about not having a normal Christmas to look forward to

Plus: After the kidnapping of this Christian girl, we should cut off aid to Pakistan. And: Muslims must face up the fact that terror is claimed in their name.

Stephen Booth: The Brexit trade talks, the romance and realities of fishing, and its crucial importance for Scotland

Macron has been steadfast in his belief that the EU should stand firm on access to UK waters. He may be forced to compromise, however.

After my night out on Saturday, I’m even more convinced that the 10pm curfew won’t work

It is one example of a policy which sounds sensible in theory, but is having some adverse practical effects.

Jason Reed: Taiwan, Britain and the UN. It’s time to rethink the One-China Policy.

The Coronavirus coverup, assaults on democracy and the appalling genocide of the Uyghur Muslims mean that the world must distance itself from the CCP.

Raghib Ali: Covid-19. The pluses and minuses of the Government’s new plan – and why there should be no more lockdowns.

The Government’s cost-benefit analysis showed that the impacts of the lockdown were greater than those of the direct Covid-19 deaths.

Belgium hasn’t “flattened the curve” – and should not be used to justify UK curfews

The Government’s approach has been modelled on the country, even though its cases have continued to rise.

Ryan Bourne: A message for Johnson and Sunak on tax rises. Not now. And not these.

Modest consolidation over decades is one thing; large increases over a Parliament would be quite another.