The Stewart over the water

Much of politics is teamwork. Can he now create a coalition among Tory MPs, not to mention Party members, that builds on his appeal to many voters?

Bob Seely: Saving Britain billions. Ideas for the contenders in this leadership contest.

This is a contribution to the debate – now let’s see what the candidates offer during the week ahead.

Profile: The unusual Rory Stewart, self-declared contender for the Tory leadership

His critics claim his appointment as International Development Secretary “could lead to the death of thousands of the world’s poorest people”.

Nicholas Daniels: British aid should primarily be about investments, not handouts

Ultimately, it is economic growth not traditional aid which will support the growing populations of the developing world.

Lord Ashcroft: Special Report: St Helena – the island of fading hopes and dreams

It is an attractive destination, with a friendly population and a fascinating history, but it has been badly let down by officialdom.

Mordaunt: Let’s champion “the invisible women who keep…our nation going.” Her women’s suffrage centenary speech: full text

“There’s a lot of focus on women in boardrooms…But this is not the place where business is being re-imagined.”

Vicky Ford: Plastic pollution is a poverty issue – and Britain can make a difference

The last in a series of three extracts from a new book of essays from Conservative Friends of International Development and Save the Children.

“Where’s Penny?” The International Development Secretary is biding her time, and choosing her words carefully

Mordaunt – like Patel before her – is effective, ambitious, and keenly aware that many Conservative voters are not natural fans of aid spending.

Theo Clarke: British aid is giving hope and purpose to Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan

We are not just helping them – we are empowering them to help themselves. That transforms individual lives and helps the region to stabilise.

Bob Seely: Post-Brexit, we need to be the world’s smart power nation. Let’s make it happen.

Our plan seems to have been little more than to cobble together just enough kit to make us a Great Power on the cheap. That cannot continue.

Mordaunt replaces Patel at DFID – as ConHome recommended

Replacing one female Brexiteer with another is an elegant solution, but the new International Development Secretary brings experience to the role too.

Iain Dale: Feel for the Grenfell judge. Nothing he could say or do would appease those who claim to speak for the victims.

Plus: I miss the Liberal Democrat conference. I miss the beards. I miss the sandals. I miss being asked for a discount on a 50p postcard…

Daniel Hannan: Uganda shows the power of the free market in action

A comparison with its neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is stark.

Dominic Raab: With courage, Hammond could save billions

The first piece in our mini-series on reducing the deficit explores ideas from addressing ‘grey welfare’ to closing Whitehall departments.

Lord Ashcroft: Why were these wise warnings on St Helena’s airport ignored?

An experienced pilot warned David Cameron of the problems seven years ago.