May hangs on for now, but faces the music on Friday – and Leadsom walks

It is not the resignation which Tory backbenchers were keenest to see, but it makes the end of May’s prime ministership even more certain.

Henry Hill: Mordaunt signals support for extending legal protection to Ulster veterans

Also: Davidson urges Tories to work harder for Euros; Bradley branded ‘unfit to govern’ by abuse victims; SNP turmoil deepens; and more!

Andrea Gee: I’m standing in this Euro-election in Scotland to help deliver Brexit – and defy Sturgeon

The solution to the challenges we face doesn’t lie in burying our heads in the sand or in jumping ship to another party.

Henry Hill: Davidson rejects calls to split Tories as she sets out campaign vision

Also: Mercer resigns over Government’s handling of historical allegations against veterans; and Welsh health minister fends off no-confidence vote after latest scandal.

Stephen Lynch: The Tories need a leader with emotional intelligence

They need to be able not just to sell their vision to the country, but to make activists feel good about being Conservatives again.

WATCH: “We need to get this deal over the line,” Davidson argues

“I would urge my colleagues in the House of Commons to start taking those first steps to walk back to something in the middle.”

Andy Maciver: As Johnson’s leadership prospects improve, Scots Tories mull going it alone. Here’s why.

As their conference opens this weekend, they are pondering claims that his ratings north of the border are dismal – and how to respond.

Dean Lockhart: How the Conservatives will make Scotland a tiger economy

Holyrood already has the powers we need, but the SNP will always put the pursuit of independence first.

Henry Hill: Davidson demands May’s successor rules out another Scottish independence referendum

Also: Ministry of Defence and Northern Irish Office clash over protecting ex-servicemen and police; and another bad week for Scottish Labour.

Onward, Hancock – and the delusion of leadership candidates retreating to their comfort zone

It is mistaken to believe that the British people are collectively optimistic, happy-go-lucky, and modernity-obsessed – and on the same wavelength as those that are.

Profile: Amber Rudd – moderation-preaching, whip-defying, No Deal-opposing. And sought by leadership contenders for support.

She is one of the few Cabinet members who does not give the impression of having had her personality flattened by the sacrifices demanded by a ministerial career.

Craig Hoy: The middle ground is where elections are won and lost in Scotland

Davidson has parked the Conservatives there – and the emergence of the Independent Group opens up new opportunities.

Conservatives should take their Scottish colleagues’ fears about Johnson seriously

The next leader must be someone able to woo the unconverted and broaden the Tory tent. As Mayor, he was that candidate. But is he still?

25 questions about (another) early general election – and the horror show it could be for the Conservatives

The more one thinks about it, the more problematic it becomes.

Henry Hill: The strange Scottish Conservative rebellion against the Withdrawal Agreement

If you’d had to guess which of their MPs would rebel on the deal, Lamont and Ross wouldn’t have made the top six.