Cummings’ skills set

His, Williamson’s and Johnson’s intent to rebalance higher and further education reflects their Red Wall-focused vision – but will it happen?

Maria Chaplia: Illiberal regimes are exploiting the pandemic to attack the foundations of democracy

In the name of cracking down on ‘disinformation’ and controlling infection, governments are centralising power and silencing critics.

The UK quarantine for international arrivals: what the rules are – and the reasons for their imposition now

Whereas other countries, such as Israel and Australia, implemented travel bans mid-March, the country is only following now.

Face masks: Is Johnson hostage to peer pressure?

The Government is under pressure to tell the public to wear face masks. But if there’s not enough evidence, why?

Andrew Rosindell: Britain’s zoos and aquariums are endangered – they need our urgent help

I have serious concerns about the sector surviving this crisis. We cannot allow the worst to happen and our zoos and aquariums put at risk.

Exit strategies: What do these look like in other countries?

Some regions have already started to ease off lockdown measures. Here are their plans so far:

Daniel Hannan: The abuse, outrage and viciousness is hurled overwhelmingly at those of us who back ending the lockdown

A common threat, especially in the form of a pathogen, flicks switches in our brains, making us less tolerant of dissent.

Neil O’Brien: R & D. We invest disproportionately in the first at the expense of the second. Here’s how to improve.

This imbalance is driven by the core science budget: the Research Councils (which fund projects) and Quality Related “QR” funding, which universities allocate.

The farcical horse-trading of the EU’s top job is a stark reminder of why we must leave

Who are you voting for to run the EU Commission? Have you watched the debates and scrutinised their manifestos? Oh, wait.

Howard Flight: Why the time has come for drug legalisation

Confessions of use in their youth by politicians raises the case for controlled legalisation – at least of ‘soft’ substances, if not yet of hard ones.

Anna Nadibaidze: Where do the other members of the EU stand on the question of an Article 50 delay?

It would need unanimous agreement. Looking at each of the 27’s varying comments, there are six distinct camps of opinion.

Henry Newman: What will the EU look like after we have left it?

Our exit in will coincide with a new cycle of European elections which will redraw political power in the European Parliament and other EU institutions.

Iain Mansfield: May’s new plan isn’t perfect, but it’s practicable. However, it can only work if treated as her bottom line.

Paradoxically, the Prime Minister can only deliver her proposals if the Government now prepares actively for No Deal.

Henry Newman: The unified reaction to the Skripal affair suggests talk of Britain’s ‘isolation’ was premature

To listen to some commentators a few weeks ago, you’d have thought it was only EU membership – not shared interests and values – that brings allies together.

Eighteen countries express solidarity with the UK by expelling Russian ‘diplomats’

The “extraordinary international response by our allies” amounts to “the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever”, Johnson says.