May decisions for autumn. 4) What’s the “proper industrial policy” look like?
It aims to develop the state’s strategic role without lapsing into picking winners. Can this be done?
May decisions for autumn. 3) She wants more homes, but how to deliver them?
Just how radical will Javid prove to be?
May decisions for autumn. 2) Hinkley Point and Heathrow expansion. What’s the policy?
The way British politics and planning mix tends to push infrastructure decisions into the long grass.
May decisions for autumn. 1) What’s to be done about the deficit?
The Prime Minister and Hammond must choose between risks.
Ideas for Party Reform 4) Reforming candidate selection
The processs in the safer seats is becoming like speed dating for a marriage that may last 20 years or more.
Ideas for Party Reform 3) Party Conference: lower costs, more debate
We have lessons to learn from our sister parties in Europe.
Ideas for Party Reform 2) Ring-fence spending for the longer-term
That’s to say, everything except election-fighting: increasing membership. Candidate selection. Targeting development seats. Growing support among ethnic minority voters.
Ideas for Party Reform 1) Elect the Chairman of the Board
First things first: Party members need more of a say on how money raised is spent.
Securing the Majority 10) Making the Feldman Review work
There must be more long-term focus if the Party is to win the 40 per cent or so of the vote in 2020 that it should be aiming for.
Securing the Majority 9) Keeping 331 Conservative MPs busy
Support Groups. Policy Development. Backbench Committees. Lord Feldman’s Review. Campaigning. There’s plenty for them to do.
Securing the Majority 8) A Constitutional Convention
We need devolution for England’s counties as well as its cities – and that can’t simply be imposed from the centre.
Securing a Majority 7) Bringing Human Rights Home. Gove’s three pipe problem.
As he ponders the ECHR, he has every reason to be secreted – like Holmes himself – with the equivalent of a pound of shag tobacco and a map of Dartmoor.
Securing the Majority 6) Build on CCHQ’s ethnic minority campaigning
Priti Patel, Alok Sharma, Shailesh Vara – all have played a part in the big push among Indian-origin voters. It needs more money and support.
Securing the Majority 5) Welcome, new Downing Street team. Now get a grip on appointments.
Number 10, Matthew Hancock, the Whips, Ministers themselves: all must ensure that Sir Humphrey’s grip is loosened.
Securing the Majority 4) Stopping Electoral Fraud
Pickles is the Government’s new “Anti-corruption Tsar”. First he must report and make recommendations. And then the Commons must act.