8.15pm Ridley Grove on CentreRight has a new hero: The tax cutting and politically incorrect Mayor of Doncaster
12.45pm ToryDiary: Margaret Thatcher’s “the lady’s not for turning” could be your ringtone
Noon Shadow Foreign Minister David Lidington MP on CentreRight argues that Britain’s international reputation has been damaged by the Government’s secretive accounting for its role in the release of the Lockerbie bomber
Frank Field MP on Platform: All young people deserve a collective memory of the highs and lows, dangers, failures as well as the triumphs of Britain
A list of ConservativeHome.com events at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester
Local government: EasyCouncil model could mean paying extra for quick planning decision
Seats and candidates: ‘One in three Tory candidates are political insiders’
Ridley Grove on CentreRight: Chris Grayling must move on from “shallow” soundbites
LISTEN: Iain Dale and LabourList’s Alex Smith discuss whether the internet will play a big role at the next General Election
In a Q&A with The Independent Andrew Lansley defends Tory policy on the NHS
“Voters can trust the Conservatives with the NHS because of David Cameron’s and my personal commitments to it, and because those are shared throughout the Conservative Party. We have shown not only how we will protect the NHS but also how we will reform and improve it. That is why a recent opinion poll showed that more NHS staff will be voting Conservative at the next election than for any other party.” – One of Mr Lansley’s answers to Independent readers
Kenneth Baker assists Ed Balls with ‘technical schools’ project
“The government is working with the former Tory schools secretary Lord Baker to set up a new generation of technical schools to train teenagers to become builders, technicians and engineers. Universities are being encouraged to sponsor the development, which, Baker said, would revive dedicated training schools not seen since the 1950s. The first “university technical college”, for 14- to 19-year-olds, is to be in Birmingham and will be sponsored by Aston University. Eight other universities are in talks with the government about sponsoring more.” – Guardian
Axe the ministerial car – Boris Johnson in The Daily Telegraph
John Whittingdale says that there is insufficient appetite for top slicing of BBC licence fee – FT
Alex Salmond’s legislative programme for Scotland
“The Scottish Executive will this week announce a legislative programme that comprises 13 bills, including one introducing minimum pricing for alcohol. The referendum bill proposes asking voters to give Mr Salmond, the First Minister, permission to begin negotiations over Scotland leaving the Union. However, the minority SNP administration has little chance of winning enough support in the Holyrood chamber for the legislation to be passed. Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats have vowed to oppose the proposals at least for the duration of the current parliament, arguing Mr Salmond should be focusing on tackling the economic crisis.” – Telegraph
> Lord Forsyth recently called for the Tories to pre-empt Alex Salmond and hold a vote on independence to settle the issue at a time of Unionists’ choosing.
Bruce Anderson condemns Brown’s “skulking silence” on the release of the Lockerbie bomber – The Independent
Expenses reform has turned us into petty clerks, say MPs – Daily Mail
Policy Exchange says Britain needs to spend £500bn on renewing Britain’s infrastructure by 2020 – FT
Magistrates’ Association rubbishes Labour’s ‘alcohol ASBOs’ – Guardian
Japan’s new government may undo supply-side reforms – Telegraph leader
Angela Merkel defeated in two of three German state elections – Independent | Yesterday’s International post
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