The local elections revisited: an analysis of results in the South West

The long-awaited Liberal Democrat revival in their traditional strongholds finally transpired. But the independents also made big gains.

Iain Dale: Oh, I do want the Conservative conference to be beside the seaside

The excuse is always that there aren’t enough beds in other places. How come Labour goes to Brighton, then?

Andrew Tromans: Calling on Conservative councillors to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide

Shropshire and Bournemouth are among those councils holding memorial events in response to a plea from Lord Bourne.

Lewis Baston: The Party Conference season. So often gripping and thrilling – and never more so than this year.

They will be strange, edgy experiences: I can hardly wait.