A protest barring MPs from pubs is exposing deeper tensions between politicians and the communities they represent

Labour MPs heading back to their constituencies this weekend will do so with a sense of relief that another turbulent term in British politics is over. But those hoping to pitch up at their local pub for a restorative pint with colleagues and constituents may find festive cheer is in short supply. In fact, some may not be allowed through the door.

For the past few weeks, pubs across the country have been putting up signs declaring “No Labour MPs” in protest at changes to business rates announced by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in her latest budget.

From preparing safe topics to taking silly games, we ask the experts how to avoid falling out with your nearest and dearest – before, during and after the big day

• I threw a potato. Mum brandished a knife – would whole-family therapy save our Christmas?

Plan breaks in your schedule
Spending time with difficult family members requires careful planning, says Katie Rose, a therapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the founder of TherapEast. “If you’re going to stay with somebody for three or four days, find ways to politely give yourself a break. Go for lunch with friends who live locally, or book a ticket to a museum or a National Trust place so that you have ways of getting yourself out of the house.” Tamara Hoyton, a senior practitioner for Relate at Family Action, agrees that scheduling breaks is a good strategy. “Arrange a trip out, or offer to cook so that you’re away from the living room where everyone else is,” she says.

Who was Santa, really? Aged eight, I devised a cunning plan to catch him in the act, involving a booby trap and a camera. Unfortunately, the joke was on me …

It was Christmas Eve, 1987. The cold war was beginning to emit its last frosty guffs, Thatcher had set her sights on gay children, and Michael Fish was keeping his head down. In England’s deep south, my sister and I conspired in our bedroom. We are twins: she got the brains; I, being the eldest by a full six minutes, was to inherit the estates and titles, except there were none because my idealistic pinko parents had spent their working lives in public service.

Earlier in the year, my sister had attempted to prove the existence of God. Worried about the health of her pet rabbit, Wodger, she penned him a letter pleading for help, with a rather clever “Please tick if you have read this” box at the end.

He’s achieved an Ashes feat that few others have. But he’s still missing an outright win in England

• Starc breaks England hearts again as Australia retain Ashes

While it took longer than expected on the fifth day in Adelaide, eventually it was done. A series won, the Ashes retained for another year and a half until they next go up for grabs in England. For Pat Cummins, this makes three consecutive Ashes series captained without giving up the urn. The feat leaves him in sparse but fine company: the others to do it are Joe Darling, Don Bradman, Richie Benaud, Mike Brearley, Allan Border and Mark Taylor.

It made things neater that Steve Smith missed this third Test, having captained the first two wins in Cummins’ absence, so that it didn’t feel like the full-time captain was swooping in to hoover up the stand-in’s lunch. Those situations can be odd, like Adam Gilchrist filling in to lead what was very much Ricky Ponting’s team, captaining two wins in India in 2004 before Ponting returned from injury once the series was decided. Who gets credit for the win?

These types of relationships can be challenging – you need to have an honest conversation about what you both want

My partner and I are professionals in our early 30s. We’ve been together for five years, and long-distance for the last three, but have just moved back in together.

While we were long-distance, we both had difficulties in our work. She had important exams, and it’s taken a long time for me to get into my career. Over the last year, our relationship has become strained, and it feels as if we’ve grown apart. Now it feels as if we aren’t friends, let alone partners. This is complicated by our work shifts. Despite now living together, we still barely see each other.

As two beloved presenters stand down, speculation is rife over who may take up the ‘very sparkly baton’

After more than two decades with Strictly Come Dancing, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are approaching their last tango.

The much-loved presenters will present the show’s live final on Saturday night and make their last appearance together for the Christmas Day special.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure will be treated with device that cleans patients’ blood corrupted by toxins

The NHS is to trial a potentially life-saving new treatment for a deadly liver disease that causes the body’s vital organs to fail.

Thirteen major hospitals will use a device that cleans patients’ blood that has become corrupted by toxins as a result of them developing acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Lawyers argue ‘cumulative disruption’ regulations were quashed in May and should therefore not be used

The Metropolitan police have been using powers they no longer have to crack down on pro-Palestine protests, according to legal experts.

Based on evidence obtained by the Guardian and Liberty Investigates, legal experts said officers had imposed restrictions on at least two protests based on their “cumulative disruption” since their power to do so was quashed by the court of appeal in May.

Former Asio chief Dennis Richardson to lead review into AFP and Asio processes amid growing calls for a royal commission

• Victims of Bondi beach shooting

• Ten minutes of terror: how the Bondi mass shooting unfolded in real time – video

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Anthony Albanese has announced a major review into intelligence and law enforcement processes in the lead-up to the Bondi beach attack, which will consider whether agencies have the right powers to keep the community safe.

Amid growing pressure for a commonwealth royal commission into the killing of 15 people at a Hanukah event last Sunday, Albanese said the former Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) boss Dennis Richardson would lead a review of the agencies.

Attackers wound 10 others in Bekkersdal after opening fire at tavern patrons and ‘randomly’ shooting in the street, police say

Gunmen killed nine people and wounded 10 others in an attack at a township outside Johannesburg, police said on Sunday, in the second mass shooting in South Africa in December.

Police initially said 10 people were killed but later revised the toll.