Tempting as it might be to blame Brexit, it has only revealed the problem, the roots of which stretch back long before 2016.
Davidson introduced the Home Secretary, who does not yet shine as brightly as his talents should enable him to do.
Also: don’t cut members out of the contest. And the right exam question for candidates is: who can best win a general election?
Stewart comes under fierce criticism as candidates float Northern Irish proposals; Scottish Tories’ campaign against Johnson peters out; and more.
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.
Also: Davidson urges Tories to work harder for Euros; Bradley branded ‘unfit to govern’ by abuse victims; SNP turmoil deepens; and more!
Also: Mercer resigns over Government’s handling of historical allegations against veterans; and Welsh health minister fends off no-confidence vote after latest scandal.
They need to be able not just to sell their vision to the country, but to make activists feel good about being Conservatives again.
“I would urge my colleagues in the House of Commons to start taking those first steps to walk back to something in the middle.”
As their conference opens this weekend, they are pondering claims that his ratings north of the border are dismal – and how to respond.
Holyrood already has the powers we need, but the SNP will always put the pursuit of independence first.
Also: Ministry of Defence and Northern Irish Office clash over protecting ex-servicemen and police; and another bad week for Scottish Labour.
The solution to the challenges we face doesn’t lie in burying our heads in the sand or in jumping ship to another party.