Previous success makes the county council elections challenging for the Conservatives

The third in a series of pieces on ConHome this week, looking forward to the elections this spring.

Jonathan Werran: The Union and the English question. The answer is to let a hundred localist flowers bloom

The first in a five-part ConHome series this week on the future of the United Kingdom.

Iain Dale: Stop this utter selfishness and pathetic whinging about not having a normal Christmas to look forward to

Plus: After the kidnapping of this Christian girl, we should cut off aid to Pakistan. And: Muslims must face up the fact that terror is claimed in their name.

Neil O’Brien: The next algorithm disaster – coming to a Conservative constituency near you. This time, it’s housing growth.

Most Tory MPs will be seeing large increases in the housing targets for their seats, while many Labour MPs see their local targets reduced.

Profile: Mark Spencer – the power behind the reshuffle and the man who disciplined the Brexit rebels

The Chief Whip is a farmer who recognises that “a lame ewe needs to be put down”.

So we’ve had NHS, policing and immigration plans from Johnson. Stand ready for a schools spending pledge.

He committed during the leadership election contest to raise it to £5000 per pupil – and level up outside London.

Coalition deal means Conservatives take charge in Nottinghamshire

The Party will also be sharing power in a number of Scottish local authorities.

Kay Cutts: It is vital for the Conservatives to regain control in Nottinghamshire

We will champion grammar schools, as well as promoting engineering, manufacturing and construction training, and information technology.

It’s time to make a radical offer to the old coalfields

For economic, moral and political reasons we should introduce a new generation of Enterprise Zones to heal the wounds of the 1980s.