Andy Street: Here in the West Midlands, there’s a new kind of politics developing. We call it Urban Conservatism. And it’s winning.

Our new fortnightly columnist on a renaissance which “through teamwork and shared vision, is producing real results”.

Patrick Harley: How we won in Dudley

The local election campaign was started with an eight page magazine highlighting our achievements on local issues. This was delivered prior to election expenses kicking in.

The warning from the local elections to Labour MPs seeking to thwart Brexit – or stay in the Customs Union

Those representing constituencies with big majorities that voted Leave may conclude they don’t want to push their luck.

Brandon Lewis: Thank you, Conservative members. Because of you, we did well in these elections. But this is just the start.

I want to commend every single one of you that stood for council or campaigned in any way in this poll.

Sunder Katwala: “Rivers of blood” and a striking reflection. Powell set the bar too low on integration.

Across this half-century, from Scarman after Brixton to MacPherson after Stephen Lawrence, governments have engaged only sporadically engaged with race.

In the elections for the “metropolitan boroughs” the Conservatives have little to lose – which is why the focus will be on Trafford

The second part of our series this week on May’s elections, moving on to the metropolitan areas that are electing in thirds.

Andy Street: Next Thursday, we can make history here in the West Midlands. This is your chance to be part of it.

It’s about leadership; it’s about making a success of Brexit, and it’s about ending that litany of Labour failure.

Labour gains power in Walsall and Worcester

But the Conservatives are now leading Plymouth.