Comment The right’s obsession with “the blob” shows it is losing This conspiracy theory is the last resort of a populist movement desperate to avoid responsibility for its own failures. By Martin Fletcher
The Weekend Interview David Davis: “The right to demonstrate includes the right to disrupt” The former Brexit secretary on Britain’s authoritarian turn and why the UK will never leave the European Convention on Human Rights. By Rachel Cunliffe
UK Politics Keir Starmer knows his NHS plan will make life harder for a Labour government Andrew Marr
Ben Smith: “The New York Times hired a bunch of lunatics” The former BuzzFeed News editor on covering Donald Trump, the lure of social media, and how to restore trust in journalism. By Harry Lambert
Rebuilding industry is a mistake. The West should focus on economic alliances instead Wolfgang Münchau
The science of fandom What communities devoted to hero-worship tell us about the psychology of belonging. а> By Ellen Peirson-Hagger
Books International Booker winner Georgi Gospodinov: “We’re living in the memory gap” Ellen Peirson-Hagger
World Review Is the National Conservatism conference a glimpse into Britain’s future? Adrian Bradley, Megan Gibson, Will Lloyd, Ido Vock and NS Podcasts
Cost-of-living Crisis Rishi Sunak pledge tracker: Are the PM’s promises being fulfilled? Harry Clarke-Ezzidio and Katharine Swindells
Healthcare The Policy Ask with Charmaine Griffiths: “Governments place too much responsibility on individuals to live healthily” Spotlight
Long reads Skinny jeans, plastics, stress: what’s behind the decline in male fertility? Why scientists are increasingly concerned about sperm. By Sophie McBain