Ryan Shorthouse: Localism is not illiberal

We need liberal – not closed – local communities where empowered, innovative and tolerant individuals can bring positive change.

Labour members can shout down Corbyn’s critics at Conference

Plans to give much more time for rank-and-file speeches may be why Khan and Burnham are having a hard time getting speaking slots.

Ben Houchen: How I will promote economic growth in Tees Valley

Brexit will provide new opportunities for the north-east to export across the world.

Manifesto small print 6) An end to the prospect of ‘rural mayors’

Instead the Party talks about “consolidation”, but is that just a sign that the reforms have no champion left in Number 10?

Why have we seen Conservative progress in Birmingham but not Manchester?

Perhaps there are lessons from Andy Street’s victory in the West Midlands.

The metro mayors can help rebuild urban conservatism

A look back at 1997 shows how transient landslides can be. City devolution gives Tories the chance to bed themselves in properly in new parts of the political map.

Greg Taylor: King in the North – how Andy Burnham Could Put the Kybosh on the Tory Northern Revival.

His meat and potatoes family-values message plays well.

Andrew Laird: In the West Midlands, a public services revolution is brewing

Andy Street is the right candidate in the right place at the right time.

Sean Anstee: We must harness devolution to boost skills in Manchester

Our city lags behind the UK average in unemployment and productivity. The new mayor must use City Hall’s new levers to make it more competitive.

Sean Anstee: We need a bold new Manchester

There are great assets – but some communities are being left behind.

How May’s Government differs from Cameron’s

She’s only been in power for a few months but there have already been ten notable policy changes.

Michael Heseltine’s lecture on devolution: full text

The former Deputy Prime Minister delivered the Peter Hennessy Lecture at the Queen Mary University of London.

Kieron O’Hara: Like the Tories, Labour must adjust its view of the state

If Theresa May’s Conservatives are easing their instinctive opposition, the Opposition must abandon its starry-eyed enthusiasm for the vast and the impersonal.

Jonathan Glanz: Mayoral devolution risks letting our cities fail

Wales has shown Labour failure and a lack of true accountability.

Ed Cox: The Northern Powerhouse powers on

Osborne launches his new think-tank today, and the project that he championed will continue – though with differences.