Stephen Booth: An independent UK must decide swiftly on its preferred place in the world

Politicians are so uncomfortable talking seriously about our international role and relationships that instead we constantly engage in proxy battles.

Lord Ashcroft: An open letter to Alok Sharma, the new International Development Secretary

We should measure the success of our aid programmes by the good we achieve, not simply by the amount of money we spend.

David Snoxell: The Government should seize opportunity to negotiate a Chagos settlement

A new Prime Minister, and a changing of the guard at the Foreign Office, is a chance to change tack on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Martin Parsons: The new Prime Minister should implement Hunt’s review on persecuted Christians

The real risk of all this is that it gets praised – but is then quietly filed away. What needs to happen is a change of Foreign Office culture.

WATCH: May – Darroch “has given a lifetime of service to the UK, and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude”

Jeremy Corbyn echoed the Prime Minister’s message of regret.

The civil service isn’t neutral. It shouldn’t be, it can’t be.

It must necessarily have a worldview. The question is whether or not this has caught up with the Brexit vote.

Fifteen years after I started writing about Johnson, one might almost think his time has come

Johnson’s first biographer confesses to feelings of bemusement, even incredulity, at the recent turn of events.

WATCH: “I have a lot of respect for the President… I don’t agree with him on everything.” Hunt on Trump.

He notes America’s strong GDP growth, and suggests that this might be important as post-Brexit Britain tries to ‘turbo-charge’ the economy.

Henry Hill: Hunt pulls Foreign Office support to Sturgeon’s separatist excursions

Also: MPs criticise Foreign Secretary over Ulster veterans; Johnson makes Thomson his Scottish campaign chief; and fierce competition to lead the NIO.

Benedict Rogers: Character, values and dignity. Why I am voting for Hunt.

We don’t need a ‘Brexiteer’ leader, we need a unifier, a leader who is not marked by labels but by their ability to implement the referendum result.

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.

Alok Sharma: Why I am voting for Johnson

We need an unambiguous plan to deliver Brexit, an ambitious and engaging domestic agenda, and a proven winner. His candidacy offers all three.

Steve Brine: Why I am voting for Hunt

His experience in business, delivering the London Olympics, running the health service, and serving as Foreign Secretary all show his leadership qualities.

Promotions for Frazer and Murrison as May fills out her Government

The new Solicitor General and FCO/DfID minister are both sensible choices, which might say more about the Prime Minister’s position than her judgement.