Johnson puts the case for more localism in England. Now he must deliver it.

The more radical his plans are, the more resistance there will be. But one can’t serve up a municipal omelette without breaking eggs.

After three by-elections and before tomorrow’s Covid announcement, here are five big challenges for Johnson

The further the act of leaving the EU recedes, the more 2019’s Tory voters will move on – as two recent by-elections reminded us.

Reports of Johnson’s political demise are greatly exaggerated

But this electoral Titan has an Achilles heel – tax rises which, rather than planning or HS2, are the real threat to future Chesham & Amershams.

Alex Morton: Ministers can have more houses or higher immigration. But they won’t be able to get away with both.

Annual net migration currently suggests 55,000 more homes a year since the 2014 projections – more than the entire rise planned after the housing row.

Richard Holden: Levelling up is for voters in the South as well as my constituents in Durham

The Government’s planning proposals haven’t even gone out to consultation yet – and everyone knows that the current system’s broken.

Daniel Hannan: A Levelling Up Fund will not, on its own, turn Sunderland into Singapore. Localism will take us closer, though.

We left the EU precisely to take back control. Having repatriated power, we mustn’t leave it in the hands of Whitehall functionaries.

Iain Dale: The student said men are physically stronger than women. Now she’s been referred to the Student Disciplinary Board.

Plus: Batley & Spen is no Hartlepool. LibDems eye Chesham & Amersham. And: will the West Ham variant hit Europe?

David Gauke: Demographic changes in the Blue Wall will work against the Conservatives – they must pay close attention

The pandemic is only likely to accelerate the process of these places becoming more graduate-heavy and small L liberal.

Sam Hall: Conservative lessons from Houchen and Street about how to respond to the Greens

By uniting behind Johnson’s plan, and replicating the approach of these two mayors, the the environment can become a winning issue for the party.

Liam Fox: Labour’s choice – adapt or die

It despises the very values of patriotism and economic self-improvement that made people like my grandparents vote for them.

WATCH: We need to go from “jabs, jabs, jabs to jobs, jobs, jobs”, says Johnson in Hartlepool

The election has shown “people want a party and government that is focussed on them”, the Prime Minister tells Sky News.

WATCH: “I’d like to thank all the people of this great town” – Jill Mortimer’s victory speech in Hartlepool

“I’m also immensely proud to be the first Conservative MP in Hartlepool in 57 years” and “the first woman ever to be elected as MP for this town.”

Amanda Milling: Let’s keep our campaigning going during these last few days

It’s your efforts on the doorstep and phone that will help us to deliver more local Conservatives with a proven track record of delivering good local services.

Sorry, Matthew, but there’s a Centre Party already – Johnson’s Conservatives

The centre isn’t where he or ConservativeHome or anyone else wants it to be. It’s where it is – “Far From Notting Hill”.

Richard Holden: The Stockton South Test – and four others for Starmer, as the run-in for next week’s elections gathers pace

Will it be: Keir On Course, So-So Starmer…or a Knightmare for the Labour Party in Hartlepool – and elsewhere?