Henry Hill: Scale of Stormont retreat on welfare revealed
Also: Swinney accused of coercing councils; Plaid want all young children taught in Welsh; Holyrood rejects national anthem.
Grant Shapps MP: Ten reasons Labour must be stopped
The Opposition would threaten economic chaos.
Rebecca Coulson: In politics, as in life, being positive is the key to happiness
French fries, The Times Crossword and U-turns – these are a few of my favourite things. And Ed Miliband helped remind me of that.
Garvan Walshe: Terrorism is back, and so are the excuses
Studying the reasons why terrorists kill must never be confused with justifying their decision to do so.
Charlotte Leslie MP: Why young people should have the vote at 16
The best way to get a young person to be disengaged and childish is to deny them responsibility on the reasoning that they are disengaged and childish.
Iain Dale: I name Labour’s Shadow Cabinet members with business experience. They are…um…er…hang on a minute…
Plus: Rubbish in the Sun. Andy Carroll is out. A mystery Tory is in – with an au pair, at any rate. My controversial book on the NHS. And: Lord Fink is right.
Lewis Baston: Will Salmond follow Parnell’s example after the next election?
The former ground the Commons to a halt in his campaign for Home Rule. That wouldn’t be so easy for the SNP. But they will make their presence felt…
A Candidate’s Diary: A training day, a Ministerial visit, cream envelopes…and the Black and White Ball
I understand why these things happen – the money has to come from somewhere – but the damage done in working class places such as mine is significant.
Graeme Archer: A lesson about polls from weighing potatoes
Since its weight is so contentious, we thought to increase the clarity of our exposition by shifting the reader’s attention to something of vanishing importance…
Ryan Bourne: Why Conservatives shouldn’t support pensioner bonds
It is a costly fiscal transfer from the broad body of taxpayers to the rich and old.
Henry Hill: Scottish and Welsh nationalists aspire to veto Brexit
Also: UUP accuse Sinn Fein of ‘rolling over’ on universal credit; SNP revive Labour ID database; and Stormont minister proposes Irish-language courts.
From Reggie to Dessie: Crocodile skin and velvet at the Black and White Ball. And that was just the men.
Plus: Theresa May faces the Pale, Male and Stale. Leslie on special ops. Dog bites Redwood. And: Hugo Swire, former owner of Hong Kong.
Stephen Tall: Should we Lib Dems enter a second coalition?
My party has suffered from this first term – would a second be worth it? And if so, then on what terms?
Nadhim Zahawi MP: Six reasons why I’m optimistic about the coming election
A clear plan. A strong retail offer. The right direction. A vision for the country. Labour’s strategic failure. And let’s not forget…Ed Miliband.
Iain Dale: No, Balls isn’t anti-business. Indeed, he understands business.
Plus: Lord Ashcroft’s Scotland poll – I must revise my predictions. Abuse in Rotherham. An upset in Sheffield? My drivetime success. And: in memoriam, Martin Gilbert.