Local elections 2) The contest with Labour. A mixed bag for the Opposition to the very end. They gain Gravesham.

They’ll bank what good news they can get, but net losses of councillors and authorities is not what they had hoped for.

Richard Salt: If Conservatives want to win the next election, we must Think North

As so many elections have shown in the past, both the main parties only win elections when they move into the centre.

Ben Houchen: Brexit. We need Project Fearless – and it starts with freeports. Let’s kick off with one in Teesside.

Yesterday, I wrote to the Chancellor with the support of 50 of the biggest and most established businesses in the Tees Valley, to call for a pilot scheme.

UKIP councillor calls for Muslims to be banned from joining Nuttall’s party

The latest embarrassment from UKIP’s Hartlepool campaign comes after Paul Nuttall pivoted his party to focus on Islam.

Battleground Seats 10) North East

Continuing our ConservativeHome series on the key contests in each region or nation.

Exclusive: UKIP candidate registers ‘home address’ at Bed and Breakfast

Phillip Broughton is standing for the Party in Hartlepool, historically one of their electoral strongholds.

Election 2017: Karen Lumley and Andrew Turner stand down. Here’s the list of other MPs also doing so to date.

A running list of the current Members of Parliament, of all parties, who aren’t seeking to stand again.

Ben Houchen chosen to be the Conservative candidate for Mayor of Tees Valley

Business growth is the priority.