Five days in self-isolation following a coronavirus scare gave Alex Sobel plenty of time to take stock of the new reality in British politics.

Alain Tolhurst takes a sideways look at life in Westminster. This week, awkward times at the Brits, expensive sofas and MPs' holiday reading. 

Rosena Allin-Khan says Labour is in a “critical condition”. The A&E doctor, a relative unknown outside of Westminster, believes she has the plan to get her party off life support. But she is facing an uphill battle in the race to succeed Tom Watson as deputy leader. Having overcome many hurdles during her career, can she surprise people once more? She speaks to Sebastian Whale.

With the UK on the way out of the European Union, you might expect Steve Baker to be feeling triumphant. Instead, the Brexiteer feels a degree of “melancholy” at the events of the past three years. Sebastian Whale talks to colleagues past and present about the Wycombe MP; the reluctant ‘Brexit hardman’ who played a crucial role in marshalling Eurosceptics in parliament. Photography by Baldo Sciacca

Steve Baker has revealed that he wants to be International Trade Secretary as Boris Johnson plans a major Cabinet reshuffle.

The re-appointment of Nicky Morgan to Boris Johnson’s Cabinet raised eyebrows when it was announced in the days after the general election. Recently ennobled, the former MP still plans to “step back” from frontline politics – but insists she is not just keeping the seat warm for her successor. The Culture Secretary speaks to Sebastian Whale

You’ll need a well-trained staff and an understanding of constituents’ suffering to deliver on constituency casework, writes Alison Thewliss MP for The House magazine’s 2020 MP Toolkit

Tips on navigating the legislative waters between the Commons and Lords, from Kevin Hollinrake MP and Lord Knight for The House magazine’s 2020 MP Toolkit

Karen Buck knows what it takes to get a bill passed – she shares her tips for The House magazine’s 2020 MP Toolkit

From gambling to foodbanks to child funeral funds, Carolyn Harris explains for The House magazine’s 2020 MP Toolkit how – and why – she campaigns 

Labour must do more than apologise for the "harm" and "distress" it has brought to the Jewish community in Britain, one of the party’s backbenchers has said.

Electing a new Speaker, a Queen’s Speech, backing Brexit and finding her feet around the Palace of Westminster, Theo Clarke has had a whirlwind start to her parliamentary career

Dods People draws together a list of appointments in Westminster politics, the devolved administrations and the public affairs sector in the last week.

The estranged wife of an ex-Tory minister who quit following a sexting scandal has replaced him as the party’s candidate for his seat.

Senior Labour figures have paid tribute to former Cabinet minister Frank Dobson, who has died aged 79.

Nigel Farage has announced that the Brexit Party will no longer contest seats held by the Conservatives at next month’s election.

Local Labour members have called on the party to drop a candidate who shared an image of Theresa May with a gun pointing at her head.

Dods People draws together a list of appointments in Westminster politics, the devolved administrations and the public affairs sector in the last week.

Dawn Butler has announced that she will run to succeed Tom Watson as deputy leader of the Labour party.

John McDonnell has accused Ian Austin of “speaking on behalf of the Tories” after the former Labour MP branded Jeremy Corbyn "completely unfit" to be Prime Minister.

Jeremy Corbyn has mounted a fresh attack on Jacob Rees-Mogg over his “shameful” suggestion that Grenfell Tower residents lacked "common sense".

Philip Hammond has announced that he will not stand at the general election after being stripped of the Conservative whip.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has won the race to take over from John Bercow as Speaker of the House of Commons.

Diane Abbott has urged Keith Vaz to rule out standing at the general election after a probe found the Labour MP offered to buy cocaine for male escorts.