Andrea Leadsom: The legacy that I’ve left my successor at the Business Department

Our priorities were: tackling global climate change, solving Grand Challenges and making the UK the best place in the world to work and to grow a business.

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.

Stephen Booth: Checks in the Irish Sea. What they are, why the UK and EU disgree about them – and how they could wreck the talks

For the Protocol to work over the long-term, broad-based political consent for it must be gained then retained.

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.

Garvan Walshe: Sinn Fein say they want to reassure Unionists. Good luck with that.

As long as their activists call them “colonialists” and candidates glorify the IRA, the idea is as convincing as a Hannukah greeting from Jeremy Corbyn.

David Shiels: An anti-DUP pact within an anti-Brexit pact is shaping Northern Ireland’s election

The second piece in our new mini-series looks at the strange bedfellows and hard choices for unionists, nationalists, Leavers and Remainers alike.

WATCH: Varadkar hails “good agreement”

The Taoiseach adds that the deal finalised today “creates a unique solution for Northern Ireland”.

Stephen Booth: Step by painful step, both sides creep close to agreement over Northern Ireland

There might not be time, but it at least now appears that a UK-EU deal on Brexit is conceivable.

Johnson and Varadkar ‘agreed they could see a pathway to a possible deal’ – official statement

The Prime Minister and Taoiseach met today to try to break the deadlock over the Northern Irish backstop.

Henry Hill: Belief that DUP are softening their position raises hopes of Brexit deal

Also: Poll suggests SNP have a mountain to climb on independence; Cameron admits he asked Queen to intervene in 2014; and more.

Henry Hill: Tories hope that ‘Boris bounce’ will save them in Brecon and Radnorshire

The Prime Minister’s tour of the United Kingdom sees him square off against nationalists from Sinn Fein, the SNP… and Welsh Labour.

Stephen Booth: Meanwhile, in Brussels, there are rumours of movement from the EU on the backstop

But the Commons has dug in against the Withdrawal Agreement. These immovable obstacles seemingly point in only one direction: a general election.

WATCH: Border Force has solutions for Northern Ireland and Britain should pay for them, says Javid

“No infrastructure on the border, because I believe passionately in that. It is necessary for our Union.”

Bim Afolami: Why I am joining the Commission seeking Alternative Arrangements for the Northern Ireland border

If you are sceptical, I understand. I was too. But this is the only viable way forward.

Henry Hill: Support for independence slumps in latest Scottish polling

Also: Dublin urged to ‘come clean’ over support for IRA during the Troubles; Welsh tax powers come into force; and Salmond inquiry tells Sturgeon not to destroy evidence.