Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: Corbyn the Puritan takes on Johnson the Merry Englander

The start of the debate on the Queen’s Speech showed how the general election will be fought.

Tom McLaren: Labour’s Ilford South selection dispute shows the danger of a “strong leader” model for councils

I have seen the lack of accountability in Redbridge. The system needs to change.

Andy Street: Let business beat politics – and let’s build the nation’s first Gigafactory in the West Midlands

We can avoid the mistakes of the past by locating a new factory for electric car batteries in the regional home of vehicle manufacturing.

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: The Prime Minister becomes the salesman for peace

The vehement Johnson of last week transformed himself into a master of the soft word that turneth away wrath.

Contempt for the Labour leader is no substitute for the hard work of showing why his policies are wrong

Corbyn has been wily enough not to plunge into the Brexit trap set for him by Johnson.

McDonnell’s promise of a four-day working week with no loss of pay is an attempt to defy economic gravity

The workers being promised fewer hours for the same money would also have to fund huge increases in the cost of public services.

David Skelton: From Gateshead to ‘Ghosthead’, how our towns have declined

The Conservative Party could become the natural home for the urban working class if it revived these towns, David Skelton argues in his new book.

Virginia Crosbie: A Conservative victory depends on women voters

If we are to win a majority in Parliament at the next General Election it is critical that we win the women’s vote.

A Government of national unity is a non-starter – even if its seven prospective leaders take one day of the week each

Their real aim is to overturn the referendum result, wreck Brexit and destroy the Government we actually have.

Johnson has the inestimable advantage of a divided Opposition

Campbell’s public letter testifies to the depth of the split on the Left.

WATCH: McDonnell insists reports of a split with Corbyn are “rubbish”

“Jeremy and I go back 40 years,” declares the Shadow Chancellor, denying that he has been “frozen out.”

Today’s One Nation Conservatives are as dreary as Baldwin, not as exciting as Disraeli

History shows that One Nation Conservatism, once espoused by Powell and Macleod, need not be wet.

WATCH: Thrasher predicts Conservative losses of “around about 400” council seats

The leading psephologist anticipates that the Liberal Democrats will be the big beneficiaries of the local elections.

This fair hearing for Blair cannot rehabilitate him

Jon Davis and John Rentoul’s new book contains valuable material, but cannot efface Iraq, or the former Prime Minister’s self-righteousness.

Daniel Stafford: Recall petitions should be introduced for local councillors

This small measure may well go some way to restoring the faith of voters in democratic measures – not least in Oxford.