Iain Dale: London murders and gang grooming

Plus: Erdogan, Putin and Rouhani meet at the Three Wise Monkeys Summit – hear no evil, see no evil…and evil. Guess which is which.

The local election results in London will provide a mixed picture

Pundits are expecting a drubbing for the Conservatives in the capital. But some boroughs will buck the trend. I predict unpredictability.

It’s time the pollsters stopped prompting UKIP as a major party

The former ‘People’s Army’ is struggling to survive, and even what’s left of its poll support could be an overstatement.

James Frayne: The polling shows that British voters harbour a deep suspicion of Putin and the Russian state

Foreign policy is rarely at the centre of our politics, but the electorate are now likely to judge potential leaders in part on their stance towards the Kremlin.

Even fans of the EU are getting fed up of its bullying approach to the Brexit talks

That’s unlikely to deter hardcore Remainers from egging Juncker et al on. But will it persuade Labour to stop working with Brussels against the UK negotiating position?

James Frayne: Stop and Search. Controversial, yes – but necessary.

One of the complaints that came up from the groups I ran – particularly from those from minority communities – is that some people get treated more leniently than others.

James Frayne: Capping energy prices is less of a vote-winner than you might assume

What’s more, to have any effect it would need to be part of a broader suite of interventionist policies – territory where Conservatives’ can never out-socialist Labour.

Edward Nyman: A five-point plan for engaging young British voters

We must find our identity in modern Britain; break away from obstructive stereotypes; source authentic leaders who connect with voters; become the party of opportunity; and never style ourselves as an alternative to “chaos”.

Frank Young: Putting relationships back on the school curriculum means putting marriage on it too

New polling on behalf of the Centre for Social Justice and Family Stability Network helps to highlight what young people themselves are asking for.

Do the voices shouting down Sara Khan really represent Britain’s Muslims?

Polling suggests real concern among them about extremism. But one wouldn’t think so from the coverage of her appointment.

Ben Roback: The US government shutdown left both sides in Washington playing the blame game, but neither has won

Indeed, the next shutdown might come before very long. And there’s no sign that Trump or his opponents are in a compromising mood.

James Frayne: Six barriers to voting Tory

In trying to maximise the Party’s vote share, it’s essential that a proper audit of these barriers takes place (and others will no doubt think of some I have missed).

Education, housing, the environment: May’s campaigning priorities. And there is an NHS row. But what about the economy?

The Government had next to no living standards message at the election. It needs one now – and to explain how it fits in with those three priorities.

James Frayne: Worboys, acid attacks, knife crime – and why the Conservatives are vulnerable on law and order

Most people believe the main purpose of prison is to punish rather than rehabilitate, and overwhelmingly back tougher sentencing and an end to “early release”.

James Frayne: May is right to drop her vote on the hunting ban – it should never have been in the manifesto in the first place

At best, people don’t think about the issue. But as soon as they do, they overwhelmingly support the ban. A vote would have been hugely damaging.