Stephanos Ioannou: Councils have the financial incentive to rubber stamp bad development proposals
Jeopardising local beauty and conservation for the sake of housebuilding is a real problem for councillors. We have to defend our communities.
James Palmer: We need a Minister for East West Rail
We must drive this project forward. It is a vital piece of infrastructure which could allow a million new homes to be built. But we need to sort out the route.
Meirion Jenkins: Birmingham is the largest metropolitan authority in Europe – and one of the worst-run.
The structure and management of the council needs total reform. I would reduce the current 101 councillors to around 30.
Council by-election results from yesterday
In the first contests of the year, independent candidates held seats in East Sussex and Rother.
Ben Houchen: Free Ports would allow leaving the EU to boost the most deprived regions of the UK
The new Shared Prosperity Fund, which will replace EU funding into the regions, is a great opportunity to put areas like mine back in control.
John Bald: Misbehaviour in classrooms is often due to a failure to teach children to read
Behind most disorder is the idea of anxiety. A great deal of that is caused by a feeling that the pupil can’t do their work.
Shaun Bailey: Khan has taken his eye off the ball on Crossrail
It was on time and on budget when Boris Johnson left office. Now the opening has now been pushed back from December last year to August 2020.
Judy Terry: Councillors are still too passive in allowing costly procurement and infrastructure projects
There remains a culture in much of the public sector that no-one will ever be held to account for wasting money on unworkable vanity projects.
Murad Gassanly: Why I left the Labour Party
The Conservatives are the natural political home for those who value national identity and are open to the world.
We have twice as many shops as we need
The good news is that it means great potential to increase the housing supply. Bold planning changes are needed.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives gained a seat from the Lib Dems in Charnwood. But the Lib Dems held seats in Cumbria and South Lakeland.
Kevin Davis: Each London borough should have its own directly elected mayor
This change would mean streamlined decision making. It would also allow greater devolution in areas such as policing and NHS primary care.
The growing number of children in care is a national tragedy
Thousands more are spending Christmas denied the chance that adoption would offer them of a permanent, loving home.
Joseph Lee and Jeet Bains: Why Croydon is growing angry with Khan
Local Conservatives have challenged the Mayor over the closure of Blackhorse Lane Bridge. Our campaign is resonating with residents.
Gary Porter: It wouldn’t be Christmas…without the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement
It contained a number of positive announcements. The New Homes Bonus is particularly significant for shire districts.