Caine’s appointment reinstalls the Northern Ireland Office’s institutional political memory

His expertise and long experience will be useful if the Government does go ahead with triggering Article 16.

Henry Hill: SNP faces police investigation over ‘missing’ independence campaign cash

Also: Ministers give opponents of Troubles amnesty six weeks to propose alternatives and square off to the devocrats over freeports.

Henry Hill: Frost secures a stay of execution for British trade with Northern Ireland, but no sign of a pardon yet

An agreement to extend grace periods would avoid the Government having to do so unilaterally, as it did previously.

Alistair Lexden: A century ago today, King George V opened the Parliament of Northern Ireland

It is a shame that IRA violence – and Westminster neglect – undid the hopeful and constructive spirit in which Stormont was born.

Northern Ireland’s place in the UK must be affirmed by deed, as well as by word

Granting ‘Royal status’ to Hillsborough is the latest small but welcome step by the Government to do just that.

Henry Hill: Dowden must resist the SNP’s Eurovision power-grab – and force the BBC to up its game

The UK competes as itself too rarely to allow the Corporation’s complacency to let Britain down. Time to bring some Olympic focus.

Henry Hill: Lewis to fly the Union Flag from Stormont House all year round

Meanwhile, the Scottish Tories double down on their referendum threat… whilst the SNP start to back off from the idea.

Owen Paterson: Cameron’s Coalition was formed ten years ago today. It left us a message of hope that we should honour.

As a member of his first Cabinet, I was tested in Northern Ireland – as elsewhere the new government reduced the defict and reformed public services.

John Hayes: The plan to impose abortion on demand on Northern Ireland by the end of this month – and why it should be stopped

To respect devolution, the UK Government must not impose such a drastic development on the Province. Is this a test run for England?

Jonathan Caine: It’s time for Sinn Fein to act decisively and leave the IRA behind

It’s deeply disturbing for many that a modern European democracy might shortly be led by a party that continues to have its strategy overseen by an Army Council.

Henry Hill: Carlaw kicks off comprehensive policy review to take the fight to the SNP

Also: Plaid fined almost £30,000 for misreporting donations worth half a million pounds; Labour hopefuls sing from devolution’s tattered hymnal; and more.

Smith’s dismissal is Johnson’s second chance to take the Union with Northern Ireland seriously

Grasping this nettle will involve appointing someone prepared to be considerably less popular with sections of the gallery than was their predecessor.

Henry Hill: Johnson to spearhead pro-Union strategy with more visits to Scotland

Also: Spotlight on the literal handful of MPs providing Stormont’s entire opposition; and Scottish Tories offer a budget deal to the SNP.

Smith’s plan for Northern Ireland undercuts the Government on veterans and Brexit

Setting aside the Ulster-specific sections, the proposals for reviving Stormont pledges frictionless trade with the mainland and a commitment on legacy prosecutions.

Have Scottish Tory splitters found the blueprint for a lasting Conservative/DUP alliance?

Strengthening Ulster’s bonds with the mainland starts with ending the de facto exile of its unionist politics – if Johnson and Foster have the imagination and will to see it done.