The virus. Why Johnson fell. Why Johnson flourished. Two first drafts of history from 2024.

Two extreme versions of what happens next in Britain. Events are more likely to end up somewhere in the middle.

Iain Dale: If the Second World War had been fought in the days of 24 hour news channels, we’d have lost

Plus: My video tour of my bookshelves and why I won’t indulge editors. Three times in the last few days I’ve said no to them.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson bids a solemn farewell to Corbyn, and promises action asap

But there were a couple of moments of levity – though both men agreed that this is no time for it.

WATCH: Corbyn’s last PMQs. “My voice will not be stilled, I’ll be around, I’ll be campaigning, I’ll be arguing,” he says.

Given last December’s election result, this news will not necessarily dismay Conservative activists and voters.

Robert Halfon: Britain is now a moderate social democratic state

Whether moderate right Conservative, or moderate left, austerity is dead, and this new age will be with us for a long time to come.

WATCH: Corbyn – Johnson said “he’d get Brexit done”, but “hasn’t got a trade deal with the USA”

“I’m proud of the economic agenda we put forward”.

The prospect seems remote. But is National Government on its way?

One can conceive of Ministers seeking an all-party public front, and Labour objecting to responsibility with no power.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson steps forward as the leader of a National Government

To the astonishment of those who see him as an incorrigible buffoon, the Prime Minister looked and sounded unremittingly sombre.

Daniel Hannan: The Coronavirus. Our instincts are likelier to push us into over-reacting than the reverse.

One of the most dangerous sequences in politics goes like this. “Something must be done. Here’s something. Let’s do it.”

Conservatism is dying: the liberals have won

Ed West describes in his new book how the Left has established “a moral monopoly”. It describes the mentality of a Tory who will not be imprisoned in a system.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson advocates hand-washing but keeps Pontius Pilate out of it

Corbyn refused to pull together.

Richard Holden: Local elections 1) Will more bricks fall from the Red Wall this May?

Bury, the West Midlands, Dudley and perhaps the Durham PCC polls are well worth keeping an eye on.

Local elections 2) The Conservatives can hope to gain more Police and Crime Commissioners

The start of a weekly series on this site each Monday previewing the local elections being held on May 7th.

Matt Kilcoyne: Tax cuts that Sunak should deliver in his first Budget

The author of the final piece in our mini-series identifies corporation tax, stamp duty, national insurance and investment allowances as targets for action.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Remember, Johnson, you are mortal

Javid’s resignation statement contained jokes but also warnings. “I’m a low-tax Conservative,” he said, and the Treasury “is the only tax-cutting ministry”.