Chris Walker: Supercharged Free Ports, the visionary way to boost the north of England’s economy

In a balanced economy, the north would produce around £70 billion more. Here is one way to help close that gap.

The prosecco warms up

The combination of crucial Brexit votes, crumbling ministerial discipline, growing grassroots discontent and a rail crisis serves to intensify pressure on Downing Street.

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.

Richard Salt: If Conservatives want to win the next election, we must Think North

As so many elections have shown in the past, both the main parties only win elections when they move into the centre.

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.

Gintas Vilkelis: A new wave of localism can restore our economy and our democracy

It would be the logical next step after taking back control from Brussels. And it would pull the rug from under Corbyn’s feet.

James Frayne: The Industrial Strategy. Top marks for spin. Lower ones for content.

Gone is the Conservative certainty of reducing taxes to promote businesses’ own investment and growth.

Andrew Wood: Yes, Singapore really is an example we can learn from. But not for the reasons some Tories give.

It is not especially low tax, nor is it unregulated – though it is certainly a more business-friendly environment then the UK. Here is why it works.

Peter Bould: A reshuffle may be coming – and the Cabinet needs more northern MPs

You would have to go back more than 20 years to find a time when fewer secretaries of state held northern constituencies. 

Jon Aydon: The north’s Labour leaders have gained new powers and money – now they must present a vision to match

Decades of under-investment in transport are being corrected – but we need an ambitious strategy for what comes next.

Chris Grayling: Upgraded roads. New trains. A record modernisation programme. Putting straight our record on transport and the North.

We are waiting for Labour to deliver their proposals. Because this should be too important an issue to become a political football.

Public sector payback time

Its awards consume roughly a quarter of public spending. It is hard to see where the tax hikes or spending scaleback to fund them will come from if the Chancellor sticks to his guns.

Charlie Elphicke: Ready on Day One to meet the Brexit Borders Challenge

The first article in a five-piece series by the author on how Britain must prepare for March 31 2019 – and has less than 600 days to get it right.

James Frayne: Five bits of advice that May’s new Communications Director should give her

“We’re badly trailing in the polls. Corbyn’s up and you’re down. You hired me to get things done and tell you how I see it. Here goes.”

The great Conservative student panic

The next manifesto might propose breaking the link between student maintenance costs and parental income by introducing a universal loan.