Our top ten picks of the week

The Chagos deal is not just something I disagree with but something that’s made me angry

Daniel Hannan

“The Bill currently before Parliament gives effect to the most disgraceful act by a British government since – well, since the removal of the Chagossians from their archipelago nearly sixty years ago. Every aspect of the treaty stinks.”

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Why every child should have a ‘classical liberal education’ – and a Mr Bathurst

Katie Lam

“There is no better start you can give children than teaching them to read, write and add. Labour’s approach to education leaves state-educated children less able to succeed, and asserts that our history, art and literature – our cultural jewels – are the preserve of the wealthy.”

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Tali Fraser

“As the Chancellor fills her red box, the Tory leader readies her lines. Next week may be Kemi Badenoch’s last clean shot at entering the public’s political consciousness.”

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How I got an important lesson in Conservatism for the value of two Pence

Jack Rankin

“A Vice President came to Newcastle to remind us that a constitutional order survives only when those entrusted with it are willing to defend it without hesitation or apology. It is that same clarity of purpose that Britain must now rediscover.”

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Britain has had a demographic revolution – and it’s worth looking at who’s coming in and who’s leaving

Emma Revell

“Even at the migration levels of the 2010s, Britain’s public services, housing supply and infrastructure have all struggled to keep up with demand.  But the other issue is that it’s impossible to set policy for a country if you don’t actually know who’s in it.”

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The Tories economic messaging, is starker, bluer and better for being honest. So why do I have a niggle of doubt?

Giles Dilnot

“There is a triple lock elephant in the room of the excellent, honest and increasingly well made argument that says we must live within our means, cut public spending, and reduce borrowing, as the unpleasant medicine that will make us all better (off) eventually.”

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The road to net zero shouldn’t pave over Britain’s tourism industry

Alistair Handyside

“The government’s plan would mean spending up to £15,000 per property to meet EPC C standards. Imagine you’re a small family business running a couple of converted barns on a working farm. That’s not investment; that’s a closure notice disguised as eco-policy.”

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It took Rachel Reeves to make the public consider a lower-tax economy

James Crouch

“Simply put, slashing the state wasn’t where most of the British public were. However, 16 months of Rachel Reeves as Chancellor appears to be changing that, and the appetite for greater taxes amongst ordinary voters is the lowest we have seen.”

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To grip the problems in the public finances we need to be honest about why they’re in the state they are

David Willetts

“Fiscal Conservatism means tough effective management of the public finances. That has historically meant some tax rises at the start, like in 1979 and 2010. Labour’s catastrophic mistake of ruling out increases in all three of the main taxes should not be repeated.”

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After COP30 the right must rediscover its faith in science

Viggo Terling

“In British right of centre circles, suspicion of scientific expertise is growing more common, even among those who can quote Cicero but not explain carbon capture. If we want to be taken seriously, then we must not sneer at evidence and think like rational adults.”