David Shiels: Brexit, Northern Ireland, and borders. Why the DUP may yet break ranks with May – and force a general election

The issue of the backstop is becoming more heated and harder to navigate as time goes by.

Victoria Hewson: Our new Brexit plan for a free trade agreement – complete with a solution to the backstop

The UK should be playing chess on multiple chess boards, with a strategy to advance the priorities in each. Progress in one arena reinforces the others.

Is May pivoting to Canada?

Prepare for a Rule Britannia defence of Chequers at Party Conference…followed by its junking afterwards, as May is forced towards the most practicable alternative presently on offer.

Theresa Villiers: The ERG’s solution to the Irish border opens the door to a wide-ranging free trade agreement

Now we will find out if the EU really is seeking practical progress, or if it is cynically exploiting the issue as a way to seek leverage.

Nick Boles: So you don’t like Chequers. In which case, you need a workable altenative. Here’s mine. What’s yours?

In the long-term, we should be pursuing a Canada-style free trade agreement. In the short, we should park ourselves in the EEA.

Flying frogs

Pro-Brexit MPs weighed a no-confidence vote in Theresa May yesterday evening. But the essential case against one remains unchanged.

Howard Flight: There must be more to Conservative Government than putting up taxes

It is the spending that needs to be controlled and reduced, rather than taxes increased yet further.

The ERG dog that didn’t bark in the Johnson-preoccupied night

A rough guide to where some of the pro-Brexit players are on further proposals for Canada Plus Plus Plus – and No Deal.

The thrills and spills of seeking the EEA port in a storm

We prefer Canada Plus Plus Plus. But a question could emerge over the next few months: is it a better option than an unmanageable No Deal – or even no Brexit at all?

Henry Newman: What will the EU look like after we have left it?

Our exit in will coincide with a new cycle of European elections which will redraw political power in the European Parliament and other EU institutions.

Garvan Walshe: Gove is setting himself up as Brexit’s Michael Collins

Not in the sense that he will be shot by his own side, but in his calculation that the best approach is to gain “the freedom to win freedom”.

Henry Hill: DUP leadership stands by Robinson as row over border poll deepens

Also: Welsh Labour MP urged to resign equalities brief over ‘homophobic bullying’ allegations; Electoral Commission drop probe into DUP; and more.

Henry Hill: The courts have called time on Bradley’s passive policy towards Ulster

Also: Welsh Tory leadership hopefuls would put pacts with other parties to the membership; unionists turn on Robinson over united Ireland comments; and more.

John O’Sullivan: A new documentary casts cold light on the true horror of IRA violence

We have missed too many opportunities to drive home the terrible consequences of terrorism and shred its romantic aura for younger generations.

Andrew Lilico: Forget the Irish Sea border. If we must have a backstop, how about a Celtic Sea border instead?

If there must be checks on goods leaving the island of Ireland, is it not more natural that they take place crossing the border where checks on persons already occur?