Daniel Stafford: Recall petitions should be introduced for local councillors

This small measure may well go some way to restoring the faith of voters in democratic measures – not least in Oxford.

Profile: Philip May, the Prime Minister’s closest and best sounding board

He would be averse to leaving without a deal, but even more alarmed by the idea of taking any course of action which risked breaking the Tory Party into fragments.

James Palmer: We need a Minister for East West Rail

We must drive this project forward. It is a vital piece of infrastructure which could allow a million new homes to be built. But we need to sort out the route.

Philip Booth: Housing. Why this Tory fascination with statism? Let’s give the market a chance instead.

In other words, let us do things a bit more like everywhere else in the world and a bit more like we used to in the UK.

Vote Conservative today

For many voters, local elections boil down to which party will provide the best possible services at the lowest possible cost.

Britishness is a political, not a racial, characteristic

Afua Hirsch recounts her inability, as a person of mixed race, to feel she truly belongs in either Britain or Ghana.

Peter Franklin: “Allowing expansion where it’s needed will mean some building on the green belt.” An open letter to Dominic Raab.

“This is the most important job of your political career so far – and there’s a lot riding on what you make of it. On this one you need to make a difference.”

Hammond’s economicky survivorish escapy Budget

The lack of a Conservative Commons majority prevented the Chancellor from doing much more than playing it safe – which he did effectively.

Peter Golds: Voter corruption is prosecuted in Scotland, and it should be in England too

The Crown Prosecution Service and the police are still failing to uphold democracy in Tower Hamlets.

Tim Patmore: Let’s build a million homes a year – but none of them on the green belt

It can be done, but it requires a great deal of political ambition.

How do you solve a problem like the railways?

Grayling is a man with a plan.

Lewis Baston: The 1966 election – Labour’s big win, 50 years ago this month

The Tory campaign in 1966 was not a success, but neither was it a complete failure. Heath’s warnings of economic troubles ahead were vindicated as early as July.

Daniel Hannan: Why do so many on the Left have a blind spot when it comes to anti-Semitism?

The Oxford Labour Club allegations are just part of a worrying trend, which is rooted in a long and unpleasant history.

Cameron should stop pretending to be David Mellor in the back of a cab

By being so unrelentlingly contemptuous about the Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister is corrupting his own brand.

Damian Green MP: Why it’s time to create new grammar schools

They are the logical next step in the increased variety of secondary schooling which is now on offer because of Michael Gove’s reforms.