Almost good enough isn’t good enough

Strangely but truly, the best way of helping the Prime Minister is to send her back to Brussels to win concessions on the backstop.

Yesterday in the Commons. More opponents than supporters of the Prime Minister’s deal on the Conservative backbenchers.

That said, there was more backing for her from her party than some of today’s headlines suggest.

Catherine Utley: Let’s end the civil partnership ban on these devoted, long-term, cohabiting people

Siblings who have lived together for many years should be entitled to the same rights and protections.

Chris White: Why it’s time radically to reform the Private Members’ Bill system

In the wake of the row over an anti-upskirting bill and Chris Chope’s objection, we re-run the author’s 2016 piece calling on the Government to act.

James Cartlidge: We should consider joining EFTA – which would give us the brake on unskilled EU migration that we may need

If we are also out of CAP, CFP and direct ECJ jurisdiction, able to negotiate our own trade deals and in the Single Market, it might not be such a bad outcome after all.

Remaining in the ECHR is a cost of leaving the EU

Given its majority and manifesto, the Government cannot take on both delivering Brexit and quitting the court. But it must stand fast against the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Greening’s grammar school plans get a warm welcome from Tory MPs – and only a little grumbling

Instead of the widely predicted rebellion, only half a dozen Conservative parliamentarians were openly negative. Others preferred to dig into the detail.

Chris White: Why it’s time radically to reform the Private Members’ Bill system

The current procedures are unsustainable, unbalanced and undemocratic.

Sir Edward Leigh: Self-determination for Syria or Sykes-Picot revisited?

Foreign Office ministers are stuck in the mentality of prioritising geopolitical ploys over a grave humanitarian crisis: this has to change.

Zahawi should be free to speak his mind

Members of the Policy Board aren’t members of the Government.

The case for free school co-operatives is set out by Steve Baker

The Telegraph’s report of his view is a sign of rising media interest in the Chairmen of the ’22’s Policy Committees. Expect to see more it.

The key role of the ’22’s five policy committee chairmen

Robert Buckland has replaced Eleanor Laing as Chairman of the the Home Affairs Committee. There could be fresh elections for all Chairman posts.

Sir Edward Leigh MP: After a weak Queen’s Speech, we could lose the next election – unless we change course

Edward Leigh is MP for Gainsborough To put it simply: something must be done about the Conservative party. Not only… Read more »

The 118 Tory MPs the Daily Mail lists as being opposed to gay marriage

By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter. The Daily Mail this morning reports on the 118 Conservative MPs who have written to… Read more »

Almost as many Conservative MPs yesterday supported some prisoners voting as opposed all prisoners voting

By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter It might be assumed that the overwhelming majority of Tory MPs are adamantly opposed… Read more »