Robert Alden: The Conservative team in Birmingham goes into the local elections united, enthusiastic and hard working
As the streets continue to be covered in rubbish, Labour has run out of ideas and has become beset by factionalism.
John Bald: Why is the Government wasting £100 million on a Quango that backs mixed ability teaching?
Free schools and academies have found that setting improves standards. It’s time to stop giving huge public funds to academics who disregard this evidence.
Judy Terry: How the Conservatives can win in the “Eastern Region”
A recent Conservative conference for the area found eagerness to discuss radical policies and to embrace innovative campaigning techniques. An encouraging sign for the local elections.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives held two seats in South Kesteven and gained a seat from an independent in Redcar and Cleveland.
Ayesha Azad and Mark Pengelly: In Woking, we are determined that council tenants must have the chance of home ownership
Our innovative Earn Your Deposit Scheme would give the young a real chance to get on the housing ladder.
Susan Hall: Only Conservatives can preserve the interests of business amidst the rise of the Far Left
The Mayor of London’s attacks on Uber and the car hire industry show he is positioning himself for a future Labour leadership contest.
Rahima Khan: Why I’m Running for Mayor of Newham
Conservatives have a proud record of social reform. I want to break down the barriers to people escaping poverty.
Judy Terry: We lack proper local scrutiny of the relationship between the state and charities
Council committees lack independence. Local newspapers are sadly in decline. There is not the equivalent rigour to that provided by Parliament and the media nationally.
Sean Anstee: If you live in Trafford you will pay less than anywhere else in the north west
As Labour councils around us abolish libraries, we’re building new ones. We are working flat out to win the local elections. Our message is: “Keep moving forward.”
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives lost seats to Labour in Nottingham and Medway, to independents in Rutland and East Hampshire, and to a Lib Dem in Dacorum.
Oliver Freeston: Labour councils always blame “the cuts” to dodge focus on their management failings
In North East Lincolnshire we see lots of complicated and unnecessary strategies being adopted – while there is a failure to get the basics right.
Peter Golds: Tower Hamlets Council is still failing the residents of the borough
£750,000 is allocated for “mother tongue teaching”. Yet there is almost no budget for English as a spoken language for non-English-speaking parents.
Gary Porter: Co-location is delivering better value for money in the public sector
Councils sharing space with job centres is an example. It means an improved service – and releases buildings which can be sold to reduce debt and provide new homes.
John Bald: Mixed ability teaching has come very close to killing the learning of foreign languages
Tougher exams are not to blame. Too often children’s time for the first three years of secondary school is wasted.
Chris Whitehouse: From the Isle of Wight, news of a Private Finance Initiative success
A highways partnership deal has resulted in fewer potholes, new street lighting – and saved a million pounds a year.