Early steps towards a modern Swinton College

A low-key event with an invited audience next week will explore how to apply lessons and methods from the Party’s past to its present and future.

James Frayne: Onward, the new think-tank, is rightly focused on what matters to provincial Britain

It would be easy, but mistaken, to take the path of least resistance and simply re-enact the dated Cameron ‘modernising’ agenda.

Nicky Morgan: As Onward launches today, Number Ten needs to give us all something to hope for

The Government should consider setting up a domestic policy Cabinet sub-committee to help alleviate the Brexit bandwidth problem.

When think tanks think and when think tanks tank

Onward, FREER, the revitalised CPS. The Tory MPs involved in all these will have to take some risks if they’re to get off the groumd.

Patel and Seely win Foreign Affairs committee places. Simon Clarke is elected to the Treasury committee.

The results of yesterday’s Select Committee elections weren’t at all bad for the Brexiteers – or Conservative Friends of Israel, for that matter.

Ed Cox: The North has taken a step closer to getting the transport infrastructure it deserves

Transport for the North can now set its own priorities and make its own plans – but Westminster must devolve more powers to allow it to reach its full potential.

Interview: Boles says that National Insurance should become National Health Insurance – and fund the NHS

“We need to give it its own clear funding stream that is then permanently separate. For all its flaws, is almost the only bit of the British state that is genuinely loved.”

Modernisers Revisited. Meet “Onward” (Or perhaps “Onward!”) – the new C-Change.

A catspaw of Osborne? A competitor to Policy Exchange? A resource for a modernising leadership candidate? The truth is more subtle and interesting.

Needed early in the New Year. A reshuffle to help Britain better prepare for leaving the EU.

Futhermore, the Government needs to sharpen up its sense of mission. And there is a heap of talent on the Tory backbenches.

James Frayne: Healthcare, crime and justice, quality retirement and the provinces. Four priorities for the Centre-Right

It ought to be focused on those areas that the public really care about and where it can meaningfully offer useful policy ideas.

Robert Colvile: There is a new generation on the Centre-Right, fizzing with ideas

The Centre for Policy Studies is working with many young, passionate Conservatives to build a better Britain.

And now for 15 items of good news

May’s damaged authority is having a beneficial side-effect – namely, freeing Tory MPs to think aloud about the Party’s future.

James Frayne: The Government needs fresh faces – here are seven MPs who should be promoted

Raab, Badenoch, Sunak, O’Brien, Eustice, Frazer and Tugendhat should all be more senior and more visible.