Hits and misses. Which targets in the local elections were achieved?

Police and Crime Commissioner elections saw Conservative gains – well beyond reasonable expectations.

The Police and Crime Commissioner results. Conservatives dominate. But why are so many past PCCs stepping down?

Voter turnout seems to have gone up in many areas. But is that also to do with the number of other elections going on?

Iain Dale: Perhaps one day I’ll get involved in an election again. In the meantime, here are my predictions for Super Thursday…

Plus: Starmer needs to bring Cooper and Benn into his top team. But will they even want the jobs?

Robert Buckland: More prison places, a domestic abuse bill, tougher sentences. How we’re acting on the people’s priorities.

We controlled Covid in our prisons, kept the courts running throughout lockdown, and were the first in the western world to resume jury trials.

Amanda Milling: Let’s keep our campaigning going during these last few days

It’s your efforts on the doorstep and phone that will help us to deliver more local Conservatives with a proven track record of delivering good local services.

“Genuinely haven’t seen complaints”…”Not a single e-mail”…”Nobody is raising it”. Tory MPs on sleaze claims and the local elections.

Just one question: is the Party failing collectively over expectations management? Hopes over Hartlepool risk running out of control.

Selina Seesunkur: Dog theft needs to be taken seriously

It should be made a specific criminal offence. Our pets are not the same as a replaceable object.

Police and Crime Commissioner elections could prove tricky for Starmer

The first in a series of pieces on ConHome this week’s looking forward to the elections this spring.

Matthew Barber: After clearing the court backlog, we need to reform the criminal justice system

Re-offending rates are far too high. Electronic monitoring is being expanded – including sobriety tags to check alcohol consumption.

Don’t blame the police for failures to hold them accountable. To make streets safer, have more local control.

That there may be as many as three investigations into Saturday’s events on Clapham Common tells us much we need to know.

David Sidwick: Police and Crime Commissioners should not be too cosy with Chief Constables

Operational independence is nothing to do with electing an independent candidate as a PCC.

Matthew Barber: To defeat knife crime, enforcement is not enough

In the Thames Valley, we are reaching those individuals who find themselves in hospital but would normally shun the police.

Harry Fone: Reserves should be used to limit Council Tax rises. If this isn’t a “rainy day”, what is?

Plus: Why are Police and Crime Commissioners asking for more money for keyrings and stress balls?

Why the Government is under pressure to confirm the date of the local elections

Moving them would require primary legislation, but despite bullish official pronouncements there is little certainty that we’ll be voting in May.

Mark Shelford: Independent Police and Crime Commissioners are less accountable than party politicians

Their appeasement of unlawful protestors has gone unchallenged. A democratic party structure delivers checks and balances.