Are we seeing a Tory recovery in London?

Bailey performed above expectations. The Council by-elections were good. But we need to build a lot of beautiful new homes.

David Gauke: Demographic changes in the Blue Wall will work against the Conservatives – they must pay close attention

The pandemic is only likely to accelerate the process of these places becoming more graduate-heavy and small L liberal.

Hits and misses. Which targets in the local elections were achieved?

Police and Crime Commissioner elections saw Conservative gains – well beyond reasonable expectations.

James Jamieson: What local authorities are looking for in the Queen’s Speech this week

With a new devolution settlement councils can boost economic growth and provide improvements to the services people rely upon every day.

David Simmonds: Refugee resettlement has been a British success story. Something we must continue.

Councils would benefit from clarity on funding in order to provide sanctuary for more of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Judy Terry: Defeating the scourge of litter is just one example of the power of volunteering

Local authorities should do more to recognise and encourage volunteers – who provide services worth billons of pounds.

Andrew Tettenborn: The Welsh Government’s flawed “anti-racist” instructions to local authorities

Concentration on “micro-aggressions” at work threatens to make any kind of workplace interaction a free speech minefield.

What are the key targets for the main political parties on Thursday?

Some may scoff at the Green Party being included as a “main political party”. By next week this classification may not seem so far-fetched. 

Emily Barley: For voters in Rotherham, the “take back control” message means control of their own lives

The way they feel about Britain’s right, and its ability, to be independent is also how they feel about themselves.

Gareth Johnson: An Outer London Congestion Charge would be catastrophic for Dartford

The people who will pay this charge have no say over who the London Mayor is. It is a form of taxation without representation or accountability.

Ben Obese-Jecty: To tackle serious youth violence effectively, London needs a more robust strategy

Ignoring the over-representation of young black men as both victims and perpetrators of violence won’t stop families losing their sons.

Katie Burgess: I’m standing as Mayor of Liverpool because I know the City can succeed

We don’t help people when we do it for them; but by helping them to help themselves.

Selina Seesunkur: Dog theft needs to be taken seriously

It should be made a specific criminal offence. Our pets are not the same as a replaceable object.

Susan Hall: Khan has great power. Yet he acts like a commentator.

For five years, he has pleaded poverty, passed blame, and avoided responsibility, instead of delivering for Londoners.

Harry Fone: Profligacy is to blame for the Council Tax rise in Wolverhampton

Plus: Waltham Forest’s proposed “consultancy support for a strategic reset” sounds like something from David Brent.