Christmas for others

It can be lonely for them but is also bound up with them.

Daniel Hannan: 2015 was the best year in human history, and 2016 will be better yet

Whether we measure literacy or longevity, infant mortality or sexual equality, the world in 2015 was a better place during this past twelve months.

Tracey Crouch: Presenting the first government sport strategy in 13 years

Over the next five years we will spend over £1 billion on a more sophisticated and comprehensive approach to getting the nation active.

Raffy Marshall: To be a real One Nation party, we must overhaul this Trade Union Bill

People being hurt by a changing economy don’t deserve attacks on their collective organisations or the implication that low paid strikers are hostile to our values.

Iain Dale: A magnificent Thatcher evening, courtesy of Donal Blaney

Plus: Why Chilcot won’t change anybody’s mind. A deliberate snub from Downing Street. And: Why hasn’t the Daily Mail replaced James Chapman yet?

Iain Dale: What Cameron scribbled in a copy of Call Me Dave

Plus: I stand in for a billionaire. Ten years of Pink News. And: the Michael Meacher I knew.

Lord Ashcroft’s speech at the launch of Call Me Dave: full text

I’m aware that I owe many dear friends and supporters a phone call, email or text. Tonight’s revelations will, hopefully, explain the reason for my lack of contact.

Iain Dale: Putting Ed Llewellyn in charge of Britain’s EU renegotiation does not inspire confidence

Plus: I hate Frankfurt. Love for Javid. Morgan’s popularity rises. And: No-one wants to see Danny Alexander’s ginger nuts swinging their way down Whitehall.

Ian Warren: We should take the time to view the world through the eyes of others

An area almost the size of England is covered with safe seats. There are no compelling political reasons for a Conservative and Labour MP to understand each others’ voters.

Iain Dale: Justice for Jeremy!

Plus: Loud sounds from Tom Watson. Pig noises from Craig Oliver. And: Come and hear me make a fool of myself in Manchester on Sunday.

Joe Baron: SEN. IEP. EBD. FSM. ADD. Enough! Say no, no, no to this monstrous regiment of acronyms

It’s time to stop innovating, think inside the box – and learn to speak English again.

How the cult of cool makes school miserable and ruins lives

When advertisers use images of impossibly thin models to promote their products to women, there are complaints; but the promotion of unattainable maturity to teenagers is also deeply suspect.

Iain Dale: The size of Mourinho’s penis

Plus: A return to Fleet Street. A venture to Edinburgh. West Ham win, David Laws loses. And: UKIP’s London members will have no say in the selection of its Mayoral Candidate.

Theodora Dickinson: The future of the arts and tourism is a better partnership between public and private sectors

The sensible response to a time of austerity is for us to move away from unaccountable quangos and towards an entrepreneurial approach.

Heresy of the week: Britain is the most important country in the world

Whichever way you cut it, there’s no doubt that Britain projects soft power out of all proportion to its size.