Teresa O’Neill: Cutting the costs of Bexley’s politics
We have reduced the number of councillors by 30 per cent and we froze allowances for nine years running.
Simon Cooke: We need more politicians. It is the only way to tame the unaccountable bureaucrats.
Instead of seeing local councillors as a potential saving, maybe we should see them as an asset.
Andrew Laird: Wigan provides a model for radical change to public service delivery
Giving a boost to Family Hubs would show a genuine commitment to bolstering the social fabric which binds local communities together.
Ben Houchen: Freeports are a key priority for the North
Creating these low tax zones, where importing and exporting are made easy, wouldn’t just mean new jobs. It would show a long term commitment to our new supporters.
Paul Mercer: The Conservatives are the Party of large men bedecked with scary tattoos
In Loughborough, we could see how Labour had lost its “core vote”. They may be unwilling to return to the fold.
We are due to have fewer MPs. The number of councillors should also be cut.
In several London boroughs, the number is due to rise. That will be costly and damaging to local democracy.
Susan Hall: In 2020, we must offer a positive and progressive alternative to Labour-run London
I am deeply honoured to have been elected Leader of the Conservative Group, on the London Assembly, at an extraordinarily important juncture.
Paul Mercer: Tackling homelessness from the ground up
The cost of putting individuals and families into temporary accommodation is significant. Finding secure accommodation is imperative.
Adam Lent: The Tories have shown that they can take back control. Now is the time to hand it over.
This Government could revolutionise the public sector and allow a very different vision of devolution.
Andrew Wood: Understanding why we lost in East London
We must do more to dispel the fears held by Muslims and EU citizens. Also important is boosting the right to buy.
Judy Terry: Yes, invest in the North. But do not overlook East Anglia.
When I first commuted from Ipswich into London Liverpool Street, it took 55 minutes. Now the average is one hour and 15 minutes.
Robert Oliver: Building local credibility was crucial to the Conservative success in the north east
Ben Houchen, the Tees Valley Mayor, is proving that Conservatives in power can make things happen. Our candidates who were selected early did well.
Matthew Barber: Sticking to Peelite principles of policing
The merits of local policing, embedded in the community, should not be underestimated. Shifting to specialist teams is a mistake.
Louise Goldsmith: Crying “Nimby” is not enough – sometimes local concerns are valid
We need to decentralise and devolve where communities are trusted and empowered. Let’s encourage higher density together with good thoughtful design.
The race for the first declaration in a night of political drama
It’s a contest between Sunderland and Newcastle. But even if Labour does badly in early results, how much will that tell us?