Andrew Boff: Khan is working to become the Nanny of London
Childhood obesity is a complex question, demanding multifaceted solutions. A simplistic ban on “unhealthy” food and drink advertising is the wrong answer.
John Bald: The effective teaching of multiplication tables is long overdue
Does the National Education Union want teenagers to count on their fingers? That’s the consequence if one severs mathematics education from its base in arithmetic.
Steven Watkins: In Bedfordshire, we are boosting fitness and saving money
The co-location of libraries and leisure centres means lower maintenance costs. It also allows opening hours to be extended.
Judy Terry: To defeat crime, councillors need to listen to youth charities and park friends
Helping others who are desperate to improve their lives is essential. Otherwise we will have more “no-go areas”.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives held seats in Enfield, Westminster and Windsor and Maidenhead. Labour held a seat in Wirral.
Dan Pegg: Teamwork was key to winning in South Derbyshire
As a council by-election candidate, I had the backing of a campaign manager, an assistant campaign manager, the local MP, and the sitting councillors… I won.
James Hellyer: In Devon, the Conservatives have worked out how to win
In by-elections where we put out leaflet after leaflet, but didn’t talk to anyone, we lost. Where we used survey canvassing, using a 0-10 model, we either won or advanced.
Stephen Greenhalgh: The truth about those water cannon
Johnson ordered them, at the request of the police. There was no indication from the Home Office that a licence would be refused.
Having seen off his critics, Scruton sets out the case for beauty
Buildings with different functions need to be intertwined. In beautiful cities, people tend to live and work side by side.
There are signs of modest progress in increasing the housing supply
Probably enough is being done to maintain the status quo. The problem is that for millions of people aiming for home ownership, that is pretty dire.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives held a seat in Kent. Labour held seats in Bassetlaw and Stroud. The Lib Dems held a seat in Oxfordshire.
Tom Hunt: Ipswich needs a northern relief road – here is how we can win the campaign
My experience in Ely has shown me that it can be done – with tenacity, optimism and the broadest possible local backing.
Barry Wood: In Britain, the numbers opting to build a home is way behind other countries. But not in Cherwell.
Over ten years we are providing 1,900 new homes for Oxfordshire. They will be a wide range of properties. That is because we believe in choice.
Sally-Ann Hart: Becoming a magistrate is a fulfilling way to serve the community – but the number resigning is worrying
Mean gestures like cutting the coffee and biscuits in the retiring room make these committed volunteers feel unappreciated.
Susan Hall: More Londoners are being murdered, but Khan’s complacency continues
In February there was an extra £5 million for training new police officers, yet the recruitment drive didn’t start for a whole six months. There is no sense of urgency.