Having seen off his critics, Scruton sets out the case for beauty
Buildings with different functions need to be intertwined. In beautiful cities, people tend to live and work side by side.
There are signs of modest progress in increasing the housing supply
Probably enough is being done to maintain the status quo. The problem is that for millions of people aiming for home ownership, that is pretty dire.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives held a seat in Kent. Labour held seats in Bassetlaw and Stroud. The Lib Dems held a seat in Oxfordshire.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives held a seat in Torridge. Labour held a seat in Ealing and two seats in Harlow.
What Americans can teach us about local democracy
It should be easier to call local referendums in the UK. Politics is too important to be left to the politicians.
It was odious to burn an effigy of the Grenfell Tower – but those responsible should not have been arrested
The police should not arrest people for being offensive. Not just because burglaries and violence matter more. But because we need the freedom to offend.
The double standards of those sneering about “pastiche”
Roger Scruton is advising the Government on ensuring new buildings are beautiful. But defeating the architectural establishment will not be easy.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives lost a seat to Labour in Kirklees. Labour held a seat in Newham. The Lib Dems held a seat in South Gloucestershire.
Good news from Sunak for parish councils
Rather than being encouraged to maintain village halls and public lavatories, too often community efforts have been penalised by the tax system.
Letwin’s land banking review identifies the real obstacle to housing growth – the Government.
His recommendations look likely to be accepted. Greater diversity of type and design is to be encouraged – rather than the imposition of uniformity.
Is the Marxist Shadow Chancellor really backing tax cuts for the rich?
The Budget has prompted further disarray in the Labour Party. But they do show a willingness to “compromise with the electorate”.
What will the Budget mean for local government?
For councils – unlike others in the public sector – austerity has been real. It is ending. But planning powers are being diminished.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives lost a seat to the Lib Dems in Hertfordshire. But the Conservatives held seats in Ashford, Dorset, South Derbyshire, Suffolk and Sutton.
Meanwhile, good news from Gibraltar
There has been agreement about its status between the UK and Spain – contrary to Remain warnings during and since the referendum.
Clegg’s career choice reflects how the House of Lords has become diminished
Parliament is struggling to retain senior figures. New peers should be chosen on their ability to raise the calibre of debate.