Gavin Barwell: We underestimate Starmer at our peril

Theresa May’s former Chief of Staff takes issue with the Deputy Editor of this site – and argues that the Labour leader may yet make it to Number Ten.

Benedict Rogers: Ten steps towards a more humane post-pandemic China policy

There can be no return to ‘business as usual’ with the Communist Party. Here’s how Britain can play a leading role in holding them to account.

Stephen Booth: Why Trans-Pacific Partnership membership can bolster the UK’s relationship with the US

The pandemic has huge geopolitical implications. Britain can better its aspirations by joining the CPTPP.

Patrick Nicholls: Fishing. My part in the movement to take control of it back from the EU.

No guilt attaches to Boris Johnson, unless by betraying the industry a second time he chooses to endorse and embrace that earlier guilt.

Bercow was the rudest Speaker of modern times, yet by the end he had degenerated into an Establishment stooge

The former Speaker’s autobiography is a disappointment. He writes as he talks – and after a time this becomes wearisome.

Profile: Rishi Sunak, rising star of the Johnson project

He is tipped by some as a future Prime Minister, but is more plausibly seen as a future Chancellor.

Martin Parsons: The new Prime Minister should implement Hunt’s review on persecuted Christians

The real risk of all this is that it gets praised – but is then quietly filed away. What needs to happen is a change of Foreign Office culture.

From magic circle to one member one vote: a short history of Tory leadership contests

The present election will turn on whether MPs and activists put national popularity before ideological soundness.

There are too many Conservative leadership candidates

The contest may or may not produce a Snow White.  But statistically, there are bound to be more than seven dwarves.

Profile: Amber Rudd – moderation-preaching, whip-defying, No Deal-opposing. And sought by leadership contenders for support.

She is one of the few Cabinet members who does not give the impression of having had her personality flattened by the sacrifices demanded by a ministerial career.

Interview: Francois insists that the ERG wants the backstop ditched altogether – not tweaked

“In my personal opinion, Olly Robbins should go to the Tower, in which case he should arrive by river.”

A day to honour George Herbert Walker Bush

This article was originally published on the anniversary of the former President’s election. We re-issue it today as news comes of his death.

Iain Dale: If we had a government with Cox and Balls

Plus: Crouch’s revenge. Islam’s departure. Brexit, May’s prospective deal and Labour’s internal agonies. And: Trumpety-Trump as the President claims victory.

The Conservative infiltration debate is all the wrong way round

The Party’s main problem isn’t having too many applicant members – it’s having too few present ones.

Who does the Conservative Party belong to?

The task of choosing the final two runners must remain with MPs, who know them better than the members do.