What would a Conservative victory on Thursday mean for local government?

The Manifesto is modest though the reality may prove more radical. Our most important challenge is to supply more attractive new homes.

Council by-election result from yesterday

The final contest before the General Election saw Labour gain a seat from Plaid Cymru in Rhonnda Cynon Taf.

John Bald: Education was once a source of pride in Scotland. It is now a serious embarrassment to the SNP.

Wales is the only home country to be below the OECD average in reading, maths, and science.

The train strikes may prove to be Labour’s Waterloo

Corbyn wants to “repeal anti-trade union legislation” to make strikes easier. The Conservatives have pledged to give commuters greater protection.

Greig Baker: In Canterbury, our Conservative candidate is already delivering on local issues

Anna Firth has had the Rail Minister down to sort the trains and has collared the Prime Minister about getting a new hospital.

Hundreds of “tenants’ halls” sit empty on council estates. They could be rebuilt to provide new homes.

Some local authorities don’t even keep a record of whether the buildings are in use.

The Conservative Manifesto includes a promise to back adoption. Will it be delivered on?

After this disruptive start in life, many young people drift into an adulthood of crime and prison.

Council by-election results from yesterday and forthcoming contest

The Lib Dems gained a seat from the Conservatives in Wiltshire. The Green Party gained a seat from an independent in Oxfordshire.

Leigh Higgins: Being a councillor has given me the practical experience to be an effective MP

In Chesterfield, people want to know about tackling potholes, safeguarding social care, and protecting the local High Street and local pubs.

Judy Terry: Tourism doesn’t just happen – the industry can not be taken for granted

There is a misguided belief that the sector is an easy route to raising tax revenues. Businesses and second home owners are being penalised.

Stephen Greenhalgh: The vast majority of those who have been closest to Johnson back him – and trust him to deliver for Britain

As Mayor of London, he carefully selected and built an effective team around him to deliver on his election promises. He trusted that team to get on with the job.

John Bald: Tolerating poor behaviour in schools is a major threat to the mental health of teachers

There should be the right to impose an immediate and substantial detention. Heads who don’t maintain order should be required by Ofsted to change their ways.

Will Sweet: As a Wandsworth councillor, I’ll take my track record and continue it in Parliament

That means protecting the environment, supporting schools, and more police. It means friendly communities with better transport, homes, and high streets.

Council by-election results from yesterday and forthcoming contests

The Conservatives gained a seat from Labour in Cardiff, a seat from the Lib Dems in Chichester and a seat from an independent in Moray.

Councils are obstructing “armchair auditors”

Greater transparency is crucial to restoring trust in politics, both locally and nationally.