The race for the first declaration in a night of political drama

It’s a contest between Sunderland and Newcastle. But even if Labour does badly in early results, how much will that tell us?

This fair hearing for Blair cannot rehabilitate him

Jon Davis and John Rentoul’s new book contains valuable material, but cannot efface Iraq, or the former Prime Minister’s self-righteousness.

Austin leaves the Labour Party, but doesn’t join the Independent Group

He’s a Brownite of Brownites with a Leave-voting seat – and one of Corbyn’s main critics. Which explains why he’s going and what he’s doing.

Iain Dale: If we had a government with Cox and Balls

Plus: Crouch’s revenge. Islam’s departure. Brexit, May’s prospective deal and Labour’s internal agonies. And: Trumpety-Trump as the President claims victory.

Book review: Gordon Brown has learned nothing and forgotten quite a bit

He never resolved his conflict between being brought up to repress his emotions and as a politician having to express them.

Richard Graham: We failed to make the case for business in June. We must do so once again at Party Conference – and after.

Conservative values underpin what it can achieve – whether in apprenticeships, manufacturing exports, jobs or contributions to good causes.

Andrew Gimson’s Budget sketch: Hammond blows his reputation to smithereens by telling jokes

The Chancellor sounded as if he was auditioning for a role in the Christmas panto.

Cameron and Osborne defeated the Labour moderates before Corbyn did

The cranky Labour leader only got his chance because the Conservatives first beat Miliband and Balls.

To appease furious Labour voters, Balls urges a Remain vote AND free movement curbs. Good luck with that one!

As the referendum vote looms, Corbyn’s party is caught on immigration in a trap of its own devising.

Iain Dale: Prat. Gaffe. Scoop. And Treacherous Bastard. My End of Year Awards.

Plus: Thank you for the three bottles of vintage wine…but you forgot to enclose a note with your name. Christmas, eh?

George Freeman MP: The dawn of new conservatism

The heart of the heart of Osbornomics is reducing past excess in order to invest in our future.

Battlegrounds Revisited 6) Yorkshire and the Humber

The Tories ousted Ed Balls and the Liberal Democrats managed to return two seats, but otherwise this region was a low-scoring draw for the main parties.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Harman accuses Cameron of not having to budget

Mrs Clooney stole the show by saying nothing, while Osborne looked solemn at the thought of budgeting for the whole country.

Alex Story: We won small in 2015 because we played small

The Tory general election campaign was far too cautious. We need to become an irreverent, confident and bullish force.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Bomber Cameron sets out to destroy Labour on the ground

The Prime Minister repeatedly condemned the official Opposition for being “enemies of aspiration”.