Henry Hill: Unionist parties unite against backstop as Varadkar rules out fresh talks

Also: Welsh Labour choose their new leader (and First Minister) this afternoon; Scottish Tories attack SNP over tax divergence plans.

Ciaran Cadden: Northern Ireland needs voluntary coalitions to revive devolution

The general election may have put the latest crisis on hold, but the dominance of Stormont’s ‘big two’ will keep causing problems.

Henry Hill: Davidson named Scottish Politician of the Year

Also: Davies defends Welsh devo-sceptics; Tory peer spearheads bid for gay marriage in Ulster; Davidson attacks SNP’s policy vacuum; and Foster comes out swinging for Brexit.

How close should May get to the Democratic Unionist Party?

The recent love-bombing campaign has got the Northern Irish Tories worried. The case for a deal is obvious, but so are the risks.

Henry Hill: Villiers denies that Brexit threatens the peace process

Also: Davies sets out Welsh Conservatives’ whole-life plan; Davidson closes gap with Scottish Labour; Northern Irish Labour rebel and contest elections; Scottish left clash over tax and oil; and more.

Henry Hill: Davidson attacks SNP plan allocating a state guardian to every Scottish child

Also: Welsh Conservatives attack urban-focused Labour. And did the Scottish Nationalists know of concerns about MP weeks before withdrawing the whip?