Council by-election results from yesterday and forthcoming contests
The Conservatives gained a seat from Labour in Gravesham. The Conservatives also gained a seat from an independent in North Yorkshire.
Melanie Hampton: It’s the small things that provide satisfaction in being a councillor
You may smile; how can this woman take such pride in providing a bin at a bus stop? Well, she does.
Tim Briggs: Why London is mostly a left-wing city
People who aspire to own their own homes move out of London to where property is cheaper.
Jack Airey: The planning process is burdensome and risky for developers – while imposing eyesores on our communities
Real estate investors can see that ugly and alienating buildings are no longer good economics. But beautiful ones are.
John Bald: Labour’s threat to take schools back to the 1970s
Successful schools would have to toe the line or be subject to the attentions of local democratic controllers. They could be destroyed without shutting them down.
Mark Henderson: The Decent Homes Standard is failing households
Can we honestly say that a house with damp is acceptable? Or a home with poor insulation, when it costs an extra £650 per year to heat?
Council by-election results from yesterday and forthcoming contests
The Conservatives lost a seat to an independent in Basingstoke and Deane.
Tom McLaren: Labour’s Ilford South selection dispute shows the danger of a “strong leader” model for councils
I have seen the lack of accountability in Redbridge. The system needs to change.
Judy Terry: East Suffolk offers the best in Conservative values
The largest district council in the country is proving an effectve model of local government.
Ben Houchen: The Conservatives are the party of towns
The image of large swathes of the north, as a post-industrial wasteland, filled with abandoned Victorian terraces, isn’t just wrong and offensive. It’s actively dangerous.
Jonathan Glanz: Allowing tents on the public highway is the wrong way to help rough sleepers
The individual beggars are often the victims of modern slavery. They account for their monies to their gang masters.
John Bald: The party conferences have shown up deep-seated divisions over the purposes of education
Despite the proven success of schools like Michaela, the Left’s policies are more destructive than ever.
Council by-election results from yesterday and forthcoming contests
The Lib Dems gained a seated from an independent in Somerset West & Taunton. The Conservatives held seats in Aberdeen, Cardiff and Charnwood.
Izzi Seccombe: Our councillors have reason to feel upbeat again after this week in Manchester
There was a really good vibe at Party Conference – especially at lots of outstanding fringe events discussing how to give local communities greater powers.
Gareth Bacon: Mapping the Mayor’s failings
An independent report has found that endless promises in City Hall are not backed up by action. 227 pledges on policing have proved completely meaningless.