Charlotte Gill’s Podcasts Review 6) Christopher Hope with Mark Francois, Ailbhe Rea and Stephen Bush with Mark Harper

In this feature, we look at some of the most memorable podcasts of the last few weeks.

Andy Street: Transport funding provides an unprecedented opportunity to level up the country

It boosts local economies and creates jobs, while it also provides tangible evidence of improvement in regions.

Interview: George Osborne – “Whatever you’re doing in terms of devolution, double it. In terms of local taxation, double it.”

In the run up to the White Paper on Levelling Up, our interview with the former Chancellor opens this week’s ConHome series on localism.

Daniel Hannan: The Prime Minister is no more off-the-wall than he used to be. But his Peppa Pigg riff revealed his allies have changed.

It is always easier to laugh at the jokes of someone you like, and Rightist columnists no longer indulge their former colleague.

David Gauke: Oomph and optimism don’t always vanquish the doomsters and gloomsters

Here are six recent examples of how the Prime Minister has been mugged by reality.

Darren Caplan: The UK railway industry can play a key part in the country’s post pandemic economic recovery

It is vital the Government remembers this while finalising the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Andy Street: How devolving power to metro mayors delivers better transport for local people

The Government’s actions are also a sign of confidence in the combined authority model.

Toby Lloyd: Two years since Johnson promised to level up Britain, has the detail proven better than the spin?

The appointment of O’Brien to lead the forthcoming levelling-up white paper shows real commitment to the agenda.

Andy Street: Devolving more spending power can provide the skills we need to drive the recovery

Regional control over adult education is already helping to deliver significant results in skills.

Joseph Baum: As a senior Chesham and Amersham Conservative, I’m dismayed by our defeat. But there’s fight in us yet.

If we don’t learn lessons, then the Party runs a real risk of repeating this result at the next general election more widely.

The voters of Chesham and Amersham remind the Prime Minister that he is mortal

Clarity is needed that “levelling up” is not intended to mean class war against the more affluent.

Andy Street: Birmingham’s clean air zones will come down unfairly hard on local people. The scheme needs an urgent rethink.

While I support the principle of these zones, a poorly executed plan will bring up the cost of living.

Ben Bradley: My constituents aren’t interested in slanging matches in SW1. Potholes and parking, though…

The issues that were raised with us on doorsteps in the local elections were about our highways, town centre and green spaces.

The pragmatic, moderate and successful conservatism of Andy Street

He’s proof that your boat can be swept along by the same tide as others, but how you steer it is a matter of individual style.

Andy Street: I’ve got a clear plan for the West Midlands, and I’m ready to go. Here’s what I’ll do in my first 100 days if re-elected.

I’ll get back to work the moment the election result is announced.