Scruton may have been ousted, but Tory councillors can still champion the cause of beauty

Proper visual preference surveys would help ensure attractive, new buildings – which people actually like.

Simon Cooke: Who owns England? Not, it would appear, big business after all.

A Guardian author suggesting otherwise is wrong. The picture we get is of mostly stable land ownership.

Rachel Wolf: Brexit agonies? Twitter pile-ons? Fanatical protesters? Put them in perspective. For all our troubles, we’re happier than ever.

Occasionally, though, we need to recognise warning signs – and they is in those areas where politicians’ control and the peoples’ attitudes truly overlap.

Holly Whitbread: It’s tough going, campaigning in Epping Forest – despite having a good record to defend

I have had doors slammed in my face and been called a traitor. But I keep promoting a positive, localised Conservative message.

Potemkin legislation

There is a mismatch between Government announcements and Commons realities. It cannot attempt reforms without risking them being amended out of recognition.

Ian Gillies: The Conservatives have a proud record in York

We have embarked on our largest house-building project since the 1970s, by developing council-owned land.

James Brokenshire: Why we have decided to abolish no fault evictions

This reform will mean that families renting privately can sleep easier at night, knowing that the housing market they rely on has become fairer as a result.

Julian Brazier: Yes, the Conservatives must engage with young people – but challenge their worldview, not concede it

James Kanagasooriam’s recent analysis is powerful, but the suggested solutions are less sure. Simply offering what younger voters want won’t work.

Tony Devenish: Seven reasons we should be proud of our record in local government

Local issues matter. We are delivering good schools, housing and local services while achieving value for money.

Screwing Scruton

His sacking is more evidence, were it needed, of the tensions that tear at the Tory coalition – and threaten to render it unsustainable.

WATCH: Hannan – “The surest way to eliminate poverty in the world is through freer trade”

He suggests that Western observers very often misread the situation in developing countries in a manner which deprives the latter of agency and opportunity.

Andy Street: Cleaning up pollution of the past to build the homes of tomorrow

Fittingly, the Black Country, synonymous with the heavy industry of the Industrial Revolution, aims to take the lead in building this new science of reclamation.

Roy Whitehead: The battle for Chelmsford

We are working hard to retain our seats – at a time when outside events are not helping us.

Louise Calland: To win in London, the Conservatives need a positive message for the thirty-somethings

Building new houses on brownfield sites, incentivising working from home, and supporting the expansion of cycle hire schemes should be on our agenda.

Liz Truss: At the heart of the spending review will be popular, free market conservatism

I’m travelling around the country asking the public what their priorities really are. This review should be the People’s review.