Andrew Gimson’s leadership sketch: Javid takes on the old school tie

Davidson introduced the Home Secretary, who does not yet shine as brightly as his talents should enable him to do.

Iain Dale: This reshuffle could have promoted and prioritised housing. But all we got was a name change.

Plus: The mystery of the missing Kwasi Kwarteng. The presence of the ebullient Brandon Lewis. The absence and recovery of Nick de Bois. Plus: Capita’s failures.

Interview: David Burrowes, occasional rebel, constant Christian – and a backbench force to be reckoned with

The MP for Enfield Southgate helped to sink tax credit and Sunday Trading changes – and now has eye on the Government’s housing benefit plans for young people.

Profile: Ben Gummer – the most important Minister whose role you’ve never heard of

Charged with managing Whitehall, trouble-shooting, clocking Sturgeon, and preparing government for Brexit, his workload would make lesser mortals crumble.

Interview: Philip Davies on standing up for his views – “The place where bullying happens most is in the House of Commons”

The Shipley MP says his views on women and equality are reasonable, and that Labour is shaping a culture that seeks to silence dissent.

Andrew Kennedy: Who were the best Conservative Party Chairmen in modern times?

Lord Woolton (pictured right) was the greatest-ever, rebuilding the Conservatives after the war. But here are my favourite five.

Lewis Baston: Labour-inspired, Conservative-inclining. The swing seat story of the New Towns.

They have gone either way in successive elections, but their recent results show up electoral trends that helping the Tories.

Lewis Baston: Westland – the Heseltine resignation row that rocked Thatcher, 30 years ago this month

Rows, plots, leaks, secret deals, an inquiry, debates in Parliament and the loss of the Defence Secretary – all over “a company with a capitalisation of only £30 million”.

Interview: Charles Moore describes how Thatcher was driven mad by her own side

Thatcher’s biographer captures the extreme precariousness of her position even as she confounded the Left and scored some of her greatest triumphs.

Profile: Sajid Javid, a man who as party leader could transform how people see the Tories

Ever since his days as a Thatcherite firebrand at Exeter University, this Tory of Asian descent has believed in a tough, meritocratic conservatism.

From Reggie to Dessie: Revealed – the cast list for the Commons Christmas panto

Aladdin: Gloria de Piero. Widow Twanky: Chris Bryant. Abananzer: Peter Mandelson. Genie of the Lamp, Michael Gove. Princess Lotus Blossom: Gavin Williamson…

A window into yesterday’s Lords debate on assisted dying

Of a debate widely acknowledged for its thoughtfulness, breadth and rigour, these contributions can offer only a small snapshot.

Book Review: Bleakness and compassion. “Ben’s Story,” by Lord Tebbit

He brings to this book what he brings to politics: an unwavering sense of perception and authority.

Iain Dale: It’s my year for snogging Jacqui Smith

Plus: Same-sex marriages on Tebbit’s birthday. Puffed-up Sir Ian Kennedy. Publish, Rob Wilson, publish! And: Why I’m a fat bastard.

Lord Tebbit says UKIP are offering “politics of the common ground”