Five trends, battles and challenges to watch in this new year

Osborne’s balancing act; Farage riding a tiger; Backbench rebels; Labour miserablists; and a few crucial days in May.

The year of Osborne, May and Hunt

Our latest Cabinet rankings are in. Who’s gone up and who’s gone down in 2013?

Green taxes are Party members’ U-turn of the Year

Conservative members regard it as not just a significant u-turn, but also a good one – but what does it say about Cameron’s convictions?

How Scotland was lost – and what happened next

We report from 2023 on the consequences of a Yes vote.

The uber-modernisers should show the Conservative Party a little bit of love

If they don’t, what’s presumably their target audience is unlikely to listen to them.

For the first time, Theresa May tops our poll as Party members’ favourite to be next Tory leader

She pips Boris at the post by a whisker this month.

Justin Forsyth: Where children aren’t dreaming of a White Christmas

In Syria, temperatures may drop to minus six – and, all over the world, children are paying the ultimate price of conflict. Yet hope and progress are alive.

Boris: The bald facts

We show him fighting Cameron over a comb.

“George Osborne is not a free market Tory: he is a corporatist” – Zac strikes back

The Richmond MP’s fight against Heathrow is a matter of principle – but also a symptom of the changing nature of MPs.

Alok Sharma MP: Heathrow helps to drive the nation’s economic powerhouse

It might not be everyone’s preferred option, but it has strong support in the Thames Valley.

Blocking a new runway at Heathrow means running the “global race” with our shoelaces tied together

A tactical decision has caused strategic chaos – further delay will cost the British economy billions.

Priti Patel MP: What the Autumn Statement did for business and infrastructure

The Chancellor’s decision will bring lasting economic benefits, new jobs and growth that would not be possible under Labour’s misguided plans.

With his welfare proposal, Zahawi gives us a peek inside Cameron’s little black book

The MP who’s also a member of No.10’s policy board argues that child-related welfare should be restricted to the first two children that people have.

George Osborne, or Horatius at the bridge

The Chancellor has his faults. But one can’t help admiring the way he takes the fight the the opposition.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Cameron ruder than ever to IPSA, Miliband and Balls

The Prime Minister’s matey statesmanship helped him to command the House, but also made him sound arrogant