WATCH: Barclay is asked for his “gut feeling” on whether HS2 will go ahead. “Yes.”

Marr puts the argument to the Brexit Secretary that the project’s costs are running out of control.

HS2’s financial case gets weaker and weaker – but has its political justification held up any better?

The project has its vocal supporters, but there are many areas in the North of England which it will not help at all.

Andy Street: My ten-point West Midlands plan for the new Government

The Prime Minister was right to say many voters have only ‘lent’ us their votes. We must now earn that trust, by ensuring the benefits of life in a post-Brexit Britain reach all communities.

Andrew Smith: The next Conservative Government can deliver for the North by investing in regeneration.

I hope that we will see more of the Chancellor during the campaign explaining how his plans can help support investment to boost productivity.

David Simmonds: I’m a supporter of railways, but HS2 is a misguided scheme

The current expensive disruptive route, and the neglect of decrepit local transport, are unacceptable.

WATCH: Transport Secretary – “We will make a go, no go decision by the end of the year”

Shapps sets a tight deadline for his independent review into High Speed Two.

WATCH: Burnham promises ‘almighty fight’ if Johnson tries to scrap HS2

The Mayor of Greater Manchester is responding to the Prime Minister’s new commission, which aims to independently re-assess the value of the project.

WATCH: ‘Anything is possible’ – Shapps on whether High Speed Two could be abandoned

The Transport Secretary this week ordered an independent commission to assess the railway’s costs and benefits.

Johnson won’t scrap HS2, but his review could make a big offer to the North

Building the northern sections first could provide a springboard for further projects and combat the idea that the former Mayor of London is too capital-focused.

Iain Dale: Were the Prime Minister to pull the plug on HS2, would he call time on Heathrow expansion too?

Plus: I* which I ru* i*to a few a**oyi*g problems fili*g this colum* from my *orfolk retreat.

Andy Street: Making connections to change our region

The West Midlands provides a case study for the UK in how connectivity can transform an area by linking its communities, its geography, its businesses and its people.

Andy Street: What the West Midlands wants from the new Government

A new era of optimism in Downing Street can bring positive changes for my area.

Andrew Bridgen: HS2 must be cancelled before it does taxpayers – and the Government – any more harm

Over budget and out of control, allowing it to continue simply stores up more trouble and scandal for the future.

Chloe Westley: Public sector pay – and why centralised bargaining must end

On the whole, pay rises should go to those on the frontline, or be used for recruitment and retention, or be based on performance.

Johnson’s bandwagon rolls on, Davidson declares for the Home Secretary – and Gove deploys weapons of mass distraction

Also: don’t cut members out of the contest. And the right exam question for candidates is: who can best win a general election?