David Simmonds: The Nationality and Borders Bill must ensure our immigration system is fir­­­­­m but fair

We must create a system which is tough on people smugglers, but ensures we extend hospitality to the most needy and vulnerable.

Global Britain? The ‘New Plan for Immigration’ looks like slow progress in the right direction

A ‘two-tier’ asylum system that penalises illegal entry makes sense, but the reforms to citizenship law are a big missed opportunity.

Ascension Island: a leak that tells us more about the inside of the Home Office than government policy

It is almost inevitable that any ‘blue-sky’ session is going to produce ideas that are impractical, embarrassing, or both – but not that they get into the papers.

Lord Ashcroft: The damage that even the threat of the virus is wreaking on St Helena

Tough measures brought in to ensure that the island remains free of the virus have once again killed off tourism for the foreseeable future.

How this New Year could see a resolution of the Chagos tragedy

It would be irrational for any government that believes in the peaceful settlement of disputes not to negotiate a settlement.

David Snoxell: The Government should seize opportunity to negotiate a Chagos settlement

A new Prime Minister, and a changing of the guard at the Foreign Office, is a chance to change tack on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

James Bundy: A Department for the Union would strengthen our United Kingdom

It would be responsible for promoting the British brand right across the country – and there is a lot to promote.

David Snoxell: The International Court of Justice may put more pressure on the UK over the Chagos Islands

The Government’s long rearguard defence of the British Indian Ocean Territory has reached a higher theatre than I ever expected.

The UK “will leave the European Union. We will then begin a new chapter in our national life.” May’s letter – full text

“I will be campaigning with my heart and soul to win that vote and to deliver this Brexit deal, for the good of our United Kingdom and all of our people.”

Matthew Offord: Ministers must go further to make the ‘Blue Belt’ a reality

The current rules blur the line between fishing waters and properly-protected areas, and our Overseas Territories need more support.

J.P.Floru: In defence of tax havens. May’s threat to the British Overseas Territories is un-Conservative.

Do we really want them either to declare independence, or else become benefit claimants, funded by British taxpayers?

Matthew Offord: The UK’s work on protecting the oceans has won deserved praise – now we must go further

The Blue Belt policy of working with UK Overseas Territories to “create the largest marine sanctuaries anywhere in the world” is succeeding.

Lord Ashcroft: A new era opens for St Helena – but there are still major problems to overcome

While we still have a commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our GDP on foreign aid, I would much rather see such funds allocated to our Overseas Territories.

Keima Allen: I came here after a natural disaster in an Overseas Territory. Hurricane Irma suggests that we’ve learned nothing since.

One way to ease their relocation to the UK would be to suspend the two-year Habitual Residence test on British Citizens living abroad.

The Government would be right to ‘take back control’ of our aid budget

Cameron’s insistence on binding Britain to the OECD has undermined not just May’s vision for overseas development, but his own.