This fair hearing for Blair cannot rehabilitate him

Jon Davis and John Rentoul’s new book contains valuable material, but cannot efface Iraq, or the former Prime Minister’s self-righteousness.

Clark Vasey: Welcome to the Blue Collar Conservatism relaunch

Esther McVey with the support of MPs from across the party is refreshing and renewing the project.

May. Treating you like a fool.

New Labour’s legacy is alive and well. When it trouble, don’t accept responsibility. Instead, blame someone else.

Profile: Nimble, eager to please, unembarrassable. The inconstant Gardiner, capable of demolishing Labour’s Brexit policy in seconds.

Tied to no faction, former Blair backer turned Corbyn supporter, the shadow Trade Secretary is a law unto himself.

WATCH: The Government is divided over Brexit and the country needs a second referendum, says Blair

“The risk of her deal is that we leave in circumstances whereby we don’t know what we’re getting.”

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.

Mark Francois: The voluntary party must now save us from ourselves

I welcome the suggestion that local Associations should follow the lead that the National Convention took last weekend.

Yes, our system favours the established parties. But it is not invulnerable to change. This could be the start of a breakthrough.

The failure of the SDP by no means proves that a new movement of this kind is doomed to failure.

Future of Education 1) Andrew Haldenby: Never, ever forget the importance of maintaining standards

The first writer in our mini-series is concerned that the Conservative education policy is at risk of neglecting the important lessons of the Gove years.

WATCH: “The fact that Berger should even be subject to a no confidence motion is shameful”, says Blair

The former Labour leader says that Watson is right to say that her local party sjhould be suspended.

Ten reasons why the second referendum campaign is in disarray

The People’s Vote is bound up with New Labour and talk of a new party. This does nothing to help it among Tory MPs…and much to harm it among Labour ones.

Will Tanner: Labour’s war on free schools would be a direct attack on social mobility

Rayner’s hostility to academies runs against both the interests and preferences of parents and pupils alike.

Blair’s Brexit redemption moment. Amen! Alleluia! (Just don’t mention the I – – q W – r.)

A first-time voter in 2022 will have been born in 2004, a year after the start of the conflict, and have no memory of weapons of mass destruction…

Nick Hargrave: In an age of post-truth politics, moderate politicians must prepare to work across party lines

I have reluctantly concluded that there needs to be greater regulation of the veracity of claims made by registered participants in political campaigns.

Not yet angry – but patriotic and bewildered. Fear of betrayal is the dominant emotion at the Leave Means Leave rally

Farage urged everyone to prepare for a second referendum, and concluded: “Next time, as far as I’m concerned, it’s no more Mr Nice Guy.”