Chloe Westley: In praise of the small business people I met, who help create the wealth which keeps public services going

During this Budget run-up, many of those I met raised business rates as a killer, plus council tax, the apprenticeship levy, parking charges and corporation tax, too.

The “end of austerity” must not mean a return to the bad old days of Brownite mismanagement

“Austerity” has been blurred and misused as a term. If everyone takes its end as a promise of whatever they fancy, it will soon get costly and risky.

Citizens from Everywhere

It was May’s best conference speech as Conservative leader. But her One Nation pitch could be too late to save her.

WATCH: May “promises an end to austerity”

“People need to know that their hard work has paid off. Because of that hard work, and the decisions taken by the Chancellor, our national debt is starting to fall for the first time in a generation.”

Nick Hargrave: Rapturously received – and strategically flawed. How May’s first Tory conference speeches have come back to haunt her.

She unwittingly legitimised unrealistic Brexit expectations and Corbyn’s economic argument.

White Flag or Union Flag?

As our proprietor and his co-author prepare to release a new book on defence, we say again what we’ve said before about the implications of Brexit for the armed forces.

Nick Hargrave: Yes, I compiled an attack dossier on Johnson. But at best, there’s a real purpose to opposition research.

It works best when painting a substantive contrast on issues that voters care about. And here are four strategic choices for the Conservatives.

Howard Flight: There must be more to Conservative Government than putting up taxes

It is the spending that needs to be controlled and reduced, rather than taxes increased yet further.

George Freeman: Come to our Big Tent Ideas Festival next weekend. And help build conservatism and capitalism for a new generation.

Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Dan Hannan, Liam Halligan, Steve Baker, Tom Tugendhat & others will speak. And there’s a special discount for ConHome readers.

John Penrose: Why we need a new rule to balance the budget

This fiscal rule would leave governments free to borrow for infrastructure investments – but day-to-day spending would be paid through your and my taxes.

Guy Corbet: New Corbyn-lite policy initiatives are inferior to old truths

The Conservative Party, and its crop of new think-tanks, is full of zeal for new ideas. But they could be asking the wrong question.

Robert Halfon: What Hunt has done for the NHS, Hinds must do for schools. We need textbooks, not tanks.

Plus: beware of claims that we’ve reached Peak Corbyn. Don’t raise fuel duty. Scrap hospital car parking charges. And: Hands keeps his promises.

James Frayne: Relations between businesses and politicians are made worse by the fact each misunderstand the other

It’s not just about Brexit – it’s deeper and longer-standing than that. Ironically, relations would improve if they each a bit more combative.

Daniel Hannan: Higher taxes, spending bungs, pay caps, gender quotas. Is this really the brave new Brexit Britain we want?

What changed? When did we lose the global vocation that infused the Cabinet, Leavers and Remainers alike, two years ago?

James Frayne: The best case for defence spending is the one least made

It is rare to hear the defence establishment talking plainly about the need to protect Britain against external threats.