“German intelligence has warned that the Kremlin seeks to influence this year’s elections.” Fallon’s speech on Russia: full text

“We hope that it abides by the Minsk agreements, curbs the reckless military activity, and ditches the misinformation.”

Daniel Hannan: The left-wing dominance of public culture is unintentionally good for conservatives

We have to be furtive when at the theatre, but the benefit is we have no choice but to hear and learn about the opinions of our opponents.

Rebecca Coulson: E is for executive, establishment, elite, experts – and, I suspect as we peer at the months ahead, election

As any crossword fan knows, that letter (or, ok, more usually her full monogram) represents the Queen. Here’s why it seems a topical signifier.

Tim Jenkins: Brexit will mean that Britain will need to deploy even more soft power

The ability to leverage a nation’s influence through international networks and institutions is key to promoting the national interest in the modern world.

Voters re-engaged. Brexit endorsed. May resplendent. So ends the best political year that this country has seen for a long time.

The daring leitmotif of her first week in office has been a purge not of Leavers but of a subset of her fellow Remainers.

Shakespeare, capitalist

Entrepreneur, trader and, ahem, tax evader, the greatest Englishman who ever lived was both hack and genius.

WATCH: What bloody man is that? Zahawi stars as Macbeth

From a video series celebrating the 400th anniversary of the death of the Stratford MP’s “most famous constituent”.

Rebecca Coulson: In qualified defence of our monarchy

The institution’s present popularity is dependent on the Queen, and, surely, her likeableness is tied to her apoliticism.

The Crabb and the Octopus

If yesterday’s accommodation had been reached last week, Duncan Smith wouldn’t have felt the need to resign in the first place.

WATCH: Love’s Labour’s Lost? Cameron mocks Corbyn with a tribute to Shakespeare

The Prime Minister wondered if the Opposition’s reshuffle might run on into a Twelfth Night.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Cameron treats Corbyn with superfluous rudeness

The Labour Leader got through by sticking with grim determination to the floods.

Daniel Hannan MEP: “Centuries of sorrow in a mingled melody.” The Merchant of Venice at the Globe.

It has always struck me as among the most problematic of all Shakespeare’s plays. But the director, Jonathan Munby, found a way to deal brilliantly with the difficulties.

Daniel Hannan MEP: Scowl, and you’ll help to lose the EU referendum. Smile, and you’ll help to win it.

Reflecting people’s gripes back at them will take you only so far. To get further, you must also offer something better.

Who’s really to blame for this modern Greek tragedy?

The masters of the Eurozone have decided to make an example of Greece – which explains why so little ground was given in the recent negotiations.

Nadhim Zahawi MP: Why support for the arts shouldn’t be the state’s responsibility alone

Some of our best-known artists lean to the left. But there’s a strong case for the claim that we are the real party of culture.