Speculation about pressure on Williamson, or calculation about Cabinet numbers, misses a key point: May must keep Davis and Fox onside.
The best way forward might be a statute of limitations on past conduct that covers the United Kingdom as a whole.
There are two options under consideration. One in particular, the partnership model, is unworkable and unacceptable. It should be put out of its misery.
The new Home Secretary won’t toe the Downing Street line as his predecessor did. His appointment is thus a sign of weakness at the top.
The Home Secretary’s future is entangled with the calculations of May and the complications of Brexit.
Also: Commons gives Bradley the power to cut MLA’s pay – but the Government insists that it isn’t introducing direct rule.
Also: Bradley talks up pay cut for MLAs; Williamson to protect troops from SNP tax hike; Foster attacks Varadkar for overstepping in talks; and more.
Also: AMs vote to publish inquiry into whether Jones leaked Sargeant’s sacking; Davidson announces Tory push to form Scottish Government; and more.
Also: Scottish Tory MPs break ranks for clean Brexit; Welsh Conservatives demand Jones publishes leak inquiry; Smith attacks Murrison over loyalist’s invitation; and more.
For all its compromises and ambiguities, it is the only practicable means to hand of giving the province something approaching normalcy.
Also: Tension in Welsh Labour as Sargeant’s son wins Assembly by-election; and Robertson resigns and triggers SNP deputy leadership election.
Also: Bradley admits that she is obliged to call an Ulster election (but won’t say when); Tories attack SNP’s ‘double-dip’ tax hike; and more.