The backstop threatens the Union. Davidson knows it. And May can’t afford to lose her.

It isn’t just pro-Brexit MPs who should be watching the Prime Minister carefully. It’s pro-Union ones: in other words, all of them.

Stephen Booth: Why No Deal will only shave a small slice off growth – if we act wisely over the medium-term

Brexit won’t be the most important factor shaping our growth over the next decade or so, whether we leave with an agreement or without one.

Lee Rotherham: What’s the point of Brexit if we’re shacked to a customs union?

Whitehall’s touted model is inherently flawed. It was ruled out during the referendum and by the Conservative manifesto.

WATCH: Lewis says there “must not be a hard border”

The Chairman of the Conservative Party emphasises that May has been “very clear” in committing to keep the “structure of the UK” intact.

Jason Reed: The DUP’s threats are in vain. May doesn’t need them any more.

Her ability to pass any Brexit bill through the Commons will depend more on the mood in the two main parties than the Northern Irish vote.

Peter Lilley: The Prime Minister – a modern-day Queen Canute

Contrary to myth, the wise king was demonstrating what was beyond his powers. May has done the same – demonstrating gradually that a Canada Deal or No Deal are the only practicable options.

Victoria Hewson: Our new Brexit plan for a free trade agreement – complete with a solution to the backstop

The UK should be playing chess on multiple chess boards, with a strategy to advance the priorities in each. Progress in one arena reinforces the others.

Alex Hedger: Corbyn sells the pass on a second Scottish referendum. And the Coalition of Chaos stirs in its unquiet grave.

The Labour leader is ready to bargain his way to power by bidding for the support of the SNP in the event of a hung Parliament.

Is May pivoting to Canada?

Prepare for a Rule Britannia defence of Chequers at Party Conference…followed by its junking afterwards, as May is forced towards the most practicable alternative presently on offer.

Flying frogs

Pro-Brexit MPs weighed a no-confidence vote in Theresa May yesterday evening. But the essential case against one remains unchanged.

The ERG dog that didn’t bark in the Johnson-preoccupied night

A rough guide to where some of the pro-Brexit players are on further proposals for Canada Plus Plus Plus – and No Deal.

The thrills and spills of seeking the EEA port in a storm

We prefer Canada Plus Plus Plus. But a question could emerge over the next few months: is it a better option than an unmanageable No Deal – or even no Brexit at all?

Davidson, the best hope of the Stop Johnson campaign

A new biography fails to convey the Scottish Conservative Leader’s gusto, but does show how traditional she is.

Andrew Lilico: Forget the Irish Sea border. If we must have a backstop, how about a Celtic Sea border instead?

If there must be checks on goods leaving the island of Ireland, is it not more natural that they take place crossing the border where checks on persons already occur?

Britain and abortion. Women are more likely to support new restrictions.

It’s a counter-intuitive take – but it’s what the sum of opinion polling in recent years tends to suggest.