Iain Dale: The good plain old-fashioned party poster – driven out of politics by thuggery and fear

Plus: Local elections – Jacqui Smith and I step in where the BBC won’t go. And: my advice to Rudd? KBO – as Churchill used to put it.

Neil O’Brien: We Conservatives need to refresh ourselves to stop Corbyn. That’s why Onward is being launched.

Even in lefty France, socialist policies are now being dumped by Emmanuel Macron in favour of free markets. Now is the time to develop our next round of big ideas.

Music for Easter Sunday – “Jesus Christ is risen today”

“But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!” A very Happy Easter to all our readers.

Music for Holy Saturday: Recessit Pastor Noster

“Our Shepherd is departed, the fount of living water,/At whose passing the sun was darkened…Today the gates of death and their bars as well our Saviour has destroyed.”

Music for Good Friday: Tenebrae Factae Sunt

“There was darkness over the earth…and about the ninth hour Jesus cried aloud: ‘My God why hast thou forsaken me?’ ”

Iain Dale: A revitalised and purposeful May heads for the Welsh hills to call an election (just kidding, folks)

Plus: Gauke’s failure, UKIP chaos, Salmond’s Russia Today shame, Corbyn’s anti-semitism debacle…and an invitation if you live near Bath.

Music for Maundy Thursday: Ubi caritas et amor

“Where charity and love are, there God is. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad.”

Putin and the Kronsteen fallacy

It’s all too easy to ascribe the capabilities of Russia’s best chess players to its secret services. But consider a radical possibility: the latter have messed up.

Chris Whitehouse: The BBC needs to welcome and respond to scrutiny

Its reputation and market share has taken a buffeting recently, but its position is recoverable.

Iain Dale: Corbyn’s weakness on security should cost Labour the next election. Will it, though?

A tour de force from May. Utter failure from Labour’s leader. And: how Blair’s Iraq legacy gives credence to deranged conspiracy theories.

Matt Hancock: Why the latest figures on national happiness are so important

As a measure of an administration, GDP has its limits. But clear evidence that we’re building a happier nation suggests the Government is on the right track.

Iain Dale: Is Barnier now conspiring with Corbyn to bring down May?

Plus: Major’s error. The Prime Minister’s jokes. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. And: the angels want to wear my red suit.

“The ideal of a truly plural and open public sphere where everyone can take part is in danger.” May’s speech on public life. Full text.

“Each day, when I pass the portraits of my 53 predecessors, 52 of whom were men, I focus not on what I can say but on what I can do to make our country a better place.”

Iain Dale: Help me and others to get justice for Worboys’ victims

Plus: Corbyn’s lack of private sector experience. And, come to think of it, his lack of public sector experience. And: justice for Worboys’ victims.

Alex Morton: Why the Tory tendency to bash our friends and back our enemies – for example, over student immigration numbers?

The Conservatives need to support genuine allies – such as savers, home owners, small businesses, and the armed forces.