Phillip Lee: Dear Sophie – don’t quit the Conservative Party, stay and fight against Brextremism

The former Justice Minister writes an open letter to a young activist, urging her to reconsider her defection to the Liberal Democrats.

The genius of Adam Smith, who knew there could be no such thing as value-free economics

For relief and refreshment from the hucksters of the present day, turn to Jesse Norman’s account of the great philosopher from Kirkcaldy.

The trade-off is not just a grubby necessity: it is the noblest part of the politician’s vocation

In his new book, Ferdinand Mount looks at twelve great political thinkers and says what’s wrong with each of them.

Whatever happened to the Big Society? 2) Jesse Norman: What it is – and why it matters

We need to renew that belief, that self-belief, and that optimism – about people, about society, about freedom and about human life – more than ever.

What is a Conservative? Answers to Soubry on a postcard, please.

P.S: Only one Tory Prime Minister in recent years was “taken down” by Tory MPs. Clue: it was neither Major nor Cameron.

Kieron O’Hara: There’s no good reason why Royals – or MPs – should be representative of the people

Parliament is not, should not be and probably cannot be a faithful reflection of the flux that confuses us in daily life.

George Currie: Air quality is a Conservative issue

We have a duty to honour the inter-generational contract articulated by Edmund Burke.

Rebecca Lowe Coulson: Scruton’s European ideal poses unsettling questions

What about those who worship different gods, those who delight in civil rights movements, those mothers who want to go out to work?

Carswell. Energetic, honest – and with no idea of how the world actually works

Taking out the middle man is what the Protestant reformers promised to do, and Carswell is in his way a very Protestant figure.

Daniel Hannan: The hip hop musical that revitalises a star of the American Revolution

Jefferson may have had the better lines, but Hamilton got the big calls right – and now he has the more stirring verses, too.

May is far more comprehensible than the press will admit

Her refusal to gossip with journalists makes her serious.

Ken Clarke was right. MPs should vote with their consciences on Article 50.

But if they defy the referendum result, they must also accept the consequences.

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: Clarke delivers a tremendous Brexit swansong

Davis and Starmer said the EU referendum result must be respected, but Clarke upheld MPs’ right to defy it.

May warns Davos of globalisation’s downside – and “the cult of individualism”. Her speech: full text

“We need to recognise the way in which a more global and individualistic world can sometimes loosen the ties that bind our society together.”

May must refuse to explain the details of her Brexit plan

Otherwise she will provoke a mutiny in her own ranks.