Wakeford defects to Labour

The Conservative MP for Bury South has moved sides and called on Johnson to quit as Prime Minister.

Stewart Jackson: A reshuffle that moved some of the Prime Minister’s critics into the Cabinet would be prudent

The Government must rebuild its demoralised electoral coalition, keep the Right broadly united and develop a compelling narrative and a legacy.

Charlotte Gill’s Podcast Review 8) Matt Chorley with Andrew Gimson, Nick Robinson with Ed Balls

In this feature, we look at some of the most memorable podcasts of the last few weeks.

Richard Holden: Covid has kept Britain in chains since we left the EU. Now we’re set to break free.

Our columnist provides the second piece in our series this week about Brexit – almost a year since the end of transition.

A change of heart by Labour on lockdowns would make Johnson’s delayed decision irrelevant

Streeting thinks “learning to live well with the virus” is the objective in 2022. Do his colleagues agree?

A Labour Party serious about government would back the measures in the Policing Bill

Tony Blair would not find a choice between Londoners and motorists versus the self-indulgent direct-action left difficult to make.

Starmer’s reshuffle shows that Labour is still talking to itself

Some of the moves make more sense, others less. But the overall picture is a leader fighting for position with his party, not the nation.

Henry Hill: Labour should rethink its lamentable attitude towards Northern Ireland

Also: Drakeford strikes a deal with the Welsh Nationalists in Cardiff Bay; Sturgeon insists she’s going nowhere.

Richard Holden: It’s time for the Government to make more of Tory MPs’ achievements and fewer errors itself

The Health and Social Care Bill contains some important measures that you won’t see splashed broadly across the mainstream media.

Did the Treasury seek to punish dissident backbenchers by withholding cash from their seats?

I can’t find evidence of wrongdoing, from the Treasury or anyone else. But anyone who has issued such threats risks very serious trouble.

Johnson’s plan for dealing with the Paterson case has failed. His choice now is: back down – or risk real damage.

By not offering voters a retail package of reform, he has left himself with little political cover and limited escape options.

John Redwood: We’re free of EU membership and can motor to our own destiny. But still drive nervously in L-plates. Why?

There should be a growth target to complement the inflation target – to drive government departments to take actions that will promote more UK activity and jobs.

Gabriel Milland: Ignore the climate change sceptics. They speak only for themselves – not the mass of centre right and Red Wall voters.

Our polling suggests that the dissenters’ take on events is seen as deeply eccentric by Tory voters.

How likely is a referendum on Net Zero?

Not very, unfortunately. That’s not to say, however, that the Government shouldn’t pay more attention to voters.

Conservative backbenchers will have four days to express any worries they may have about the Budget

Many Tories are alarmed by the tax rises recently announced by the Government, and will be looking for reassurance from Sunak.