Alistair Lexden: Heath, the “almost great” Prime Minister who became the crosspatch of the century

This unusual leader still evokes passions in his Party even decades after his surprise election victory.

The very English scandal of Thorpe the Liberal leader and Rinka the dog

The comedy and horror of Thorpe’s trial, and of the 1970s, are caught in this book and television series.

Strength through joy?

Change, optimism and hope are a step up from paralysis, despair and pessimism. But successful politicians don’t necessarily radiate uplift.

Iain Dale: Why Philip May is the Prime Minister’s Willie

Plus: That customs Cabinet committee meeting – and luck & chance in politics. How Zephaniah has fallen. Javid v Khan. And: my local elections overnight marathon.

Lewis Baston: The Conservative local election landslide of 1968

How a unique combination of Heath and Powell saw the Tories swept to power from Sheffield to Lambeth.

Profile: Enoch Powell. Many politicians rose higher. Few made a bigger impact – or still do.

He made grotesque errors of taste and judgement – see “Rivers of Blood”. But even his critics admit that he was one of the great parliamentarians of the 20th century.

Peter Franklin: Ruling political tribes 2) The Conservatives. Gove is now in a position to emerge as kingmaker – or, just maybe, as King.

But unless his fully-developed vision of the future can capture heart-and-minds, I’d expect control of the party to stay with the mainstream.

“The baby-faced assassin” is Defence Secretary. Has he already launched a coup?

Gavin Williamson is gifted, well-connected, successful – and not devoid of ambition. His former deputy is now Chief Whip. This is a controversial appointment.

The mishandled investigation into Heath leaves a nasty taste

Even after all the problems, and the threadbare findings, Wiltshire Police show no sign of realising their errors.

Howard Flight: Today’s Mayite Conservatives have embraced a socialist ethic – with wishy-washy, opportunistic policies.

Mercifully, there remain a few Thatcherites, even in the Cabinet, who believe in the power of liberty, responsibility, commerce and voluntary action.

Murdo Fraser: Liberal Unionism – a model for Scottish Conservatives?

The history of our party has much to teach us about how to build on our modern successes.

Daniel Hannan: Farewell to Edward du Cann, the courtly Eurosceptic who helped propel Thatcher to power

Behind his languid exterior lay a man of unusual principle, to whom all Conservatives have cause to be grateful.

Rupert Barnes: Restoring our historic counties would show respect for local identity

The Conservative Party is built on something more deep rooted than the passing fads of the metropolitan chattering classes.

Lewis Baston: Election gambles that worked. And those that failed – like May’s this year.

And those that never were, such as 1978, 1991 and 2007. Prime Ministers tend to make the opposite error to that of their predecessors.

John Deben: Weak leadership, catastrophic decisions. The appeasement of reactionaries over Brexit has betrayed Heath’s legacy

He wouldn’t have let Cash and Fox, Johnson and Rees-Mogg seize the agenda. He would have fought Farage’s populism as he fought that of Powell.