How our call for a cost-benefit analysis is contributing to Johnson’s Covid climbdown on lockdowns and tiers

We knew that even the prospect of one would widen and deepen debate on Coronavirus policy – which was essential.

Sunak opts to suck it and see

The OBR’s horrid forecasts of an output implosion and soaring unemployment will do nothing to quell Tory resistance to tougher Covid tiers.

The Coronavirus – and the mysterious affair of the Treasury’s economic analysis

The quest of Mel Stride and the Treasury Select Committee for sight of its elusive quarry contines.

Interview. Mel Stride – a damaged economy provides less for health and social care, “and that has a cost in lives”

The Chair of the Treasury Select Committee on its efforts to get information from the Government on the costs of restrictions to lives and livelihoods.

Johnson is pressed in the Commons by Tory MPs about an end to shutdown by Christmas

Fox floated a new Parliamentary committee to “determine that decisions across all parts of Government have been taken on the best available evidence”.

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: The Prime Minister did not stoop and could not conquer

He would not conciliate the Liaison Committee by promising to meet it three times a year, let alone by holding an inquiry into Cummings.

Select Committee chairmanships announced

Ellwood to chair the Defence Committee. Tugendhat to chair Foreign Affairs. Hunt to chair Health and Social Care.

Johnson’s shuffle. If one asks for decisiveness – for an end to drift – don’t complain when it’s delivered.

We have the Government that we should have had then, ready to counter the charge that Vote Leave scurried away from Brexit, rather than manning up to deliver it.

Which MP is backing which candidate. Our named estimates. Johnson 131, Hunt 48, Gove 36, Javid 22

Here’s our best stab at who is voting for whom, and this list will be updated each morning, as the contest continues.

Mordaunt leads the pack in our latest Cabinet League Table

Truss and Davidson take the other podium spots, challenging the assumptions held in some quarters about the Tory grassroots.

Mel Stride is appointed Leader of the House of Commons

The former Treasury Minister is regarded as a “safe pair of hands”. However, he may not stay in post for long.

WATCH: Stride – ‘Income inequality is at its lowest level on record’

“It would be wrong if we blunt those wealth creators who are not only making wealth, but are also paying taxes.”

May doesn’t need a First Secretary of State

The course consistent with this site’s recommendations is to appoint a more junior Cabinet Office Minister.

Raab and Stewart. Our survey’s top Ministerial choices for Cabinet promotion.

Jo Johnson is third. Then Greg Hands and Matt Hancock. But those who lead the results may be no less likely to go up than those who trail them.

The Conservative MPs most likely next to make the Cabinet are those you may not have heard of

The Mercers, Tugendhats and Cleverlys get a lot of media coverage. However, most promotions come from the ranks of the toiling Ministers of State.