How much does a Party leader’s back story matter?

There’s little evidence from the history of either main party to suggest that it has counted much to date electorally – if at all.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: May failed to lead Britain out of the EU – but her successor can yet succeed

There may be greater willingness by Brussels to negotiate following populist successes in the European elections.

There are too many Conservative leadership candidates

The contest may or may not produce a Snow White.  But statistically, there are bound to be more than seven dwarves.

Adam Honeysett-Watts: The next leader must be able to tell the Tory story

Our new group, Conservatives in Communications, aims to help the Party rediscover the art of selling itself and its work.

Steve Norris: Commonhold? Here’s a better idea – and one that doesn’t force management on occupiers

A Code of Practice, if given legal backing, should ensure that freeholders act as long-term responsible stewards of properties.

Mark Francois: The voluntary party must now save us from ourselves

I welcome the suggestion that local Associations should follow the lead that the National Convention took last weekend.

How to measure the size of the Conservative rebellion this evening

Courtesy of Philip Cowley, here are some markers for this evening’s votes, when they come.

A day to honour George Herbert Walker Bush

This article was originally published on the anniversary of the former President’s election. We re-issue it today as news comes of his death.

Chloe Westley: If the Conservatives bow to May’s betrayal of the referendum result, they will be cursed for a generation

By refusing to consider the option of leaving without a deal, Conservative Ministers are essentially admitting defeat. And we deserve better than a defeatist political class.

Daniel Hannan: May’s deal. It leaves us facing colonial rule from Brussels, of the sort imposed on Bosnia following the Yugoslav war.

Cowardice and lack of vision have brought us to this pass – facing all the costs and obligations of EU membership, but with no voice, no vote and no veto.

Jobs, wages – and stubbornly buoyant Conservative poll ratings

Wages are growing at their fastest rate for ten years, and employment is at a near-record high. But qualifications are necessary…

Iain Dale’s Top 100 Most Influential People on the Conservative Right

In all, there are 30 new entries in the whole list, one down on last year and two down on the 2016 record of 33.

WATCH: Ici Londres – There’s no reason to believe that those who won’t accept one referendum will honour a second one

Consider, Hannan argues, the promises made by people like Clegg, Major and Ashdown during the last campaign.

WATCH: Major – if party politics is put before the national interest, a general election is possible

The former Prime Minister claims this “has not been a glorious episode in British constitutional history”.

Shaun Spiers: The answer to the housing shortage is more planning, not less

And, as Boles says, we will never build the number of homes we need unless the state is building 100,000 a year.