James Kirkup: Our advice to Johnson. Social mobility should be at the heart of your programme.

The fifth piece in our series this week about what the Tory Manifesto should look like.

Martin Parsons: What is the point of the Commission for Countering Extremism?

Its report focuses on hate speech – which is being weaponised by various groups, including Islamists, intent on censoring public disagreement with their own beliefs.

Neil O’Brien: Fifty shades of conservatism

It’s a bit like the roof of Parliament’s Westminster Hall: which is held up by a lot of huge, ancient beams all resting on each other.

Imogen Sinclair: Burke offers a solution to the decline of community

Increasingly there is a recognition that the little platoons can alleviate a range of modern social ills.

Tobias Ellwood: To flourish, our Party must stay in the centre ground – not march off to the right

We regularly describe ourselves as a broad church – and correctly so. Any alignment with the Brexit Party would see that width of appeal narrowed.

Tony Devenish: Having a Prime Minister who understands how local government works is hugely welcome

Listen to Johnson for any length of time and it becomes clear that his time as Mayor of London has had a profound impact on his politics.

Why the Left prefers condemning the Prime Minister to understanding him

Brainless tribalism led it to underestimate Johnson.

Jesse Norman: Conservatism, the party leadership, and the future of our country. Why I am considering standing.

If you believe in this idea of conservatism; if you want new faces at the table; if you share these ambitions, then please say so.

Brexit, the backstop, Anglo-Irish relations – and learning from Burke

We need a new strategic partnership with Ireland. At the moment, that end seems endlessly remote.

Jonathan Clark: Brexit has reopened two constitutional conflicts which must be resolved

Does authority reside with Parliament or the People? And are MPs representatives or delegates? Both must be answered.

A cry of rage against the BBC

Robin Aitken, who worked for the Corporation for 25 years, accuses it of propagating liberalism and suppressing conservatism behind a pretend impartiality.

Phillip Lee: Dear Sophie – don’t quit the Conservative Party, stay and fight against Brextremism

The former Justice Minister writes an open letter to a young activist, urging her to reconsider her defection to the Liberal Democrats.

The genius of Adam Smith, who knew there could be no such thing as value-free economics

For relief and refreshment from the hucksters of the present day, turn to Jesse Norman’s account of the great philosopher from Kirkcaldy.

The trade-off is not just a grubby necessity: it is the noblest part of the politician’s vocation

In his new book, Ferdinand Mount looks at twelve great political thinkers and says what’s wrong with each of them.

Whatever happened to the Big Society? 2) Jesse Norman: What it is – and why it matters

We need to renew that belief, that self-belief, and that optimism – about people, about society, about freedom and about human life – more than ever.