That pitiable conference, this directionless party – and the tale of Johnson’s lion and May’s frog

We have our reservations about the Foreign Secretary, but concede that he alone, of those Ministers who spoke this week, made the Tory message sing.

Why are May and capitalism worth conserving?

The Prime Minister must explain today how reforming the system will deliver more gains for workers and familes than tearing it up.

Richard Graham: We failed to make the case for business in June. We must do so once again at Party Conference – and after.

Conservative values underpin what it can achieve – whether in apprenticeships, manufacturing exports, jobs or contributions to good causes.

Julian Knight: We can help make the case for capitalism by empowering consumers and customers. Here’s how.

We must show people how markets can make life better for ordinary families by broadening choice, spurring innovation, and driving down prices.

Garvan Walshe: The Taylor review is a distraction. The real problem facing Britain is that our Welfare State is bust.

Uncomfortable though it is to admit, we run our public finances like a Ponzi scheme. The only way out of this mess is to improve our terrible productivity.

James Arnell: Johnson is right. Brussels can go whistle for €100 billion.

Are we being manipulated so that we accept, in due course, a smaller (but still very large) Brexit bill as a “good deal”?

Kieron O’Hara: Seven ways to reach younger voters. Including, as May is doing today, reaching out to other parties.

If the Conservatives spoke a progressive alliance, and meant it, they might be able to make some progress – and break down virulent anti-Toryism.

Nicky Morgan: We need less focus on the Prime Minister and more on the whole Conservative team

The only way to put an end to something like the ‘school cuts’ campaign was to knock it back hard and repeatedly at the start before it gained traction.

Voter satisfaction with public services – higher under the Conservatives than Labour

The Corbynite-Momentum-Left movement is trying to bluff Tory MPs and activists into believing that public support for its hysterical worldview is higher than it really is.

May’s Calendar Girl Queen’s Speech

A lot on Brexit; not much elsewhere. The lack of a majority leaves the Prime Minister exposed – whatever may happen with the DUP.

42 per cent and no majority 2) The Party must make the case for conservatism to a new generation of voters. It hasn’t for too long.

As time passes, a decreasing slice of the electorate has any experience at all of old-fashioned socialism. And the argument that it doesn’t work cuts little ice.

Kieron O’Hara: Young voters won’t hold off austerity forever

This election has found the next generation as committed to spending other people’s money as their elders. This will catch up with them in the end.

John Moss: Jobs, houses, pensions – the policies we need for the future

News schemes should include shared equity homes reserved for people under 30 years old.

Nicholas Mazzei: Changing the Party to attract the youth vote

Unless the Conservatives can deliver a fairer deal between the generations, a majority may be forever out of reach.

Conservative MPs do not believe that May can lead them into the next election. Nor, reluctantly, do we.

The Party is damned if she goes quickly, and damned if she doesn’t. And, all the while, the threat of a no confidence challenge hangs over her head.