Iain Dale: Will May challenge her critics to put up or shut up – and herself get a confidence ballot staged?

Plus: John Lewis blames Brexit. Juncker gets a drink. BBC stasis at Question Time and PM. And: Trump can’t emote.

Ten local election results to watch for the Tories

How bad is the prognosis for urban Conservatism? Will there be a fightback outside of London? Will the Liberal Democrats show signs of life? Some potential clues.

The risks to May if she backs off leaving the Customs Union

“I’m not saying that there would be an organised push, but the letters would just go in to Graham Brady,” one senior pro-Leave backbencher told this site yesterday.

Honours for Tory MPs but not Tory donors

Sir Graham Brady, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Dame Cheryl Gillan, and Sir Chris Chope gain well deserved recognition.

Interview: Kemi Badenoch – “I’m not really left-leaning on anything…I always lean right instinctively”

She voted for Davis in 2005, and her hero is Airey Neave: “The escape from Colditz is I think probably the coolest thing any British politician has ever done.”

Iain Dale: Playing truth or dare with Jacqui Smith

Plus: May’s EU trials, Labour’s EU shifts – and how Russia got there before Trump by recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Well, part of it.

Robert Colvile: There is a new generation on the Centre-Right, fizzing with ideas

The Centre for Policy Studies is working with many young, passionate Conservatives to build a better Britain.

Iain Dale: Let’s hope the old, bubbly, effervescent Patel returns

Plus: How many letters has Brady had? The tragedy of the death of Carl Sargeant. And: introducing my new podcast with Jacqui Smith.

Lord Ashcroft’s conference diary: A snap election should be snap for them – not for us

Plus: Economics is not enough, two lots of protesters (one in first class travel), and keeping fit at Party Conference.

Iain Dale’s 100 most influential people on the Right 2017. May tops it. Davis is second. And Davidson third.

Who would have predicted that Gavin Barwell, having lost his seat and ministerial position, would climb 63 places to number seven?

Eric Pickles: My general election review is a blueprint for a stronger party

I want our Party to come out of the process stronger and more adept at campaigning – ready to win.

Green, Fox, Brady, Morgan. And live-streaming Rees-Mogg. ConHome’s Party Conference programme.

We pick out five items from it which may be of special interest to our readers and others who will attend.

Twelve tests for the Pickles/Brady Conservative Party review

ConservativeHome’s proposals for Party reform, to avoid a repeat of the miserable snap election result.

Crosby Textor are still working for CCHQ. Should they be?

There is no case, however, for drift – for the partnership with the firm to carry on as though nothing much has changed since last June’s disappointment.

ConservativeHome’s new monthly survey is out

We now have eleven runners and riders in our Next Tory Leader section…with another 15 candidates standing by. Watch this space.