John O’Connell: In an age of socialist-lite spending policies, what has become of the low-tax Tory?

The second piece in our series this week about what the Conservative Manifesto should look like.

Harry Fone: Sheffield City Council employs 24 press officers

Residents want low taxes and regular bin collections, not big PR budgets and regular spin.

John O’Connell: The case for a simpler, more competitive tax system is overwhelming

We need an overhaul to meet both the immediate challenges posed by Brexit and to maintain our global position as other countries start catching us up.

Lord Ashcroft’s Conference Diary: Perhaps Johnson really is the British Trump. And voters like it.

And: Gove says MPs can sit at weekends to get a deal through. Plus: Brisk business at the bookstall – and the menace of the “offence archaeologists”.

‘We probably didn’t cut enough’ may be the most important revelation from Cameron’s book

The heated debate about fiscal policy a decade ago is often forgotten. It matters that the former Prime Minister now acknowledges he came down on the wrong side.

John O’Connell: Cuts to inheritance tax could help the new government

Perhaps the cost of dying all seems rather small fry, in relation to delivering Brexit by October 31. But there is likely to be a Budget ahead of the deadline.

Jeremy Hutton: There are 6,047 empty council-owned commercial properties in the UK – what a shocking waste

Providing security, insurance, maintenance and renovation of these vacant properties costs £74 million a year. Many could be converted into housing.

Andrew Kennedy: Unitary authorities can help save taxpayers’ money

Buck-passing between different authorities results in poor outcomes for residents and kickback from voters.

Bob Seely: Saving Britain billions. Ideas for the contenders in this leadership contest.

This is a contribution to the debate – now let’s see what the candidates offer during the week ahead.

John O’Connell: There are so many better ways of spending £50 billion than on HS2. Here are some of them.

The alternatives we publish today range from airfields to supertrams, roads to rail, bicycles to bridges.

Andrew Allum: New technology can save the NHS and social care system billions and improve patients’ lives

Hancock’s willingness to embrace such innovation is encouraging, and will bring sizeable benefits.

Chloe Westley: It’s the end of the line for HS2, or should be

The majority of Brits drive to work in a car or a van, but journalists and politicians get the train to work. I think that’s reflected in political discourse.

Huw Merriman: To ensure that the aid budget is spent carefully, let DFID, not the Foreign Office, control it

The Taxpayers’ Alliance is right to demand responsible stewardship of valuable resources. But we should not mess with the aid rules.

Chloe Westley: Why should MPs get a pay rise when they won’t keep their promises to the people?

There are some brilliant MPs, who go above and beyond. But the majority have hardly covered themselves in glory over Brexit.

Judy Terry: Councillors are still too passive in allowing costly procurement and infrastructure projects

There remains a culture in much of the public sector that no-one will ever be held to account for wasting money on unworkable vanity projects.