Elliot’s taste

The Party Chairman responsible for fund-raising is playing for higher stakes than he may appreciate.

Peter Franklin: Our classicist Prime Minister must be a Hercules – and clear out Parliament’s Augean stables

The Prime Minister must get out in front of the issue — and deal with the whole mess before it buries him.

David Gauke: Johnson’s party is more socially conservative, populist and economically interventionist. But how much?

There is evidence, however, that suggests that the move to abandoning all recent Tory traditions is not quite so straightforward.

David Gauke: There are signs that the Treasury is winning – and that more tax rises are coming.

The overseas aid and Universal Credit decisions suggest that, for the first time in a while, the cause of fiscal conservatism is gaining the upper hand.

After three by-elections and before tomorrow’s Covid announcement, here are five big challenges for Johnson

The further the act of leaving the EU recedes, the more 2019’s Tory voters will move on – as two recent by-elections reminded us.

Joseph Baum: As a senior Chesham and Amersham Conservative, I’m dismayed by our defeat. But there’s fight in us yet.

If we don’t learn lessons, then the Party runs a real risk of repeating this result at the next general election more widely.

Reports of Johnson’s political demise are greatly exaggerated

But this electoral Titan has an Achilles heel – tax rises which, rather than planning or HS2, are the real threat to future Chesham & Amershams.

David Gauke: Chesham and Amersham. Yes, a realignment is taking place in British politics. But it is likely to happen slowly.

Plus: Why Johnson will end lockdown in July, but is to blame for maintaining it. And: Labour. Seen as too anti-Semitic in some places… not enough in others.

Is the Blue Wall around London in danger of cracking?

In the aftermath of the by-election, ConHome republishes Henry Hill’s post-May analysis of the threat to the Conservatives in the South.

The voters of Chesham and Amersham remind the Prime Minister that he is mortal

Clarity is needed that “levelling up” is not intended to mean class war against the more affluent.

Iain Dale: The student said men are physically stronger than women. Now she’s been referred to the Student Disciplinary Board.

Plus: Batley & Spen is no Hartlepool. LibDems eye Chesham & Amersham. And: will the West Ham variant hit Europe?