His appointments to the Territorial Offices are a mixed bag: Cairns is a welcome retention, Jack a bold but possibly risky change, and Smith another letdown for Ulster.
Also: Bebb to stand down as MP over Tory policy on Brexit; Bradley criticised for rushing ill-drafted Northern Irish legislation.
Also: MPs criticise Foreign Secretary over Ulster veterans; Johnson makes Thomson his Scottish campaign chief; and fierce competition to lead the NIO.
Also: Davidson urges Tories to work harder for Euros; Bradley branded ‘unfit to govern’ by abuse victims; SNP turmoil deepens; and more!
Also: Ministry of Defence and Northern Irish Office clash over protecting ex-servicemen and police; and another bad week for Scottish Labour.
If she insists on a functioning Assembly before a no-deal Brexit, why on earth would Sinn Fein oblige her?
We need a new strategic partnership with Ireland. At the moment, that end seems endlessly remote.
Also: Scottish Conservatives keep up the pressure over fishing and the backstop; Plaid set out new front bench; and Bradley empowers Northern Irish civil service.
The significance of the Northern Ireland SpAd’s tweet lies less in its content than its author – and that it has been issued at all.
Also: Bradley retains May’s confidence as she takes belated action on MLA salaries; Plaid’s new, right-wing leader offers prospect of Tory pact; and more.
The Brexit negotiations ought to have highlighted to both sides how the Union is best served by a strong cross-water alliance.
Also: Welsh Tory leadership hopefuls would put pacts with other parties to the membership; unionists turn on Robinson over united Ireland comments; and more.
Also: Pro-UK think-tanks torpedoes SNP’s economic case for independence; Plaid suffers ‘major rift’ as MP savages Wood; and more.
My minority report, unlike the majority one of the Women’s and Equality Committee, respects the province’s devolution settlement.