HS2’s financial case gets weaker and weaker – but has its political justification held up any better?

The project has its vocal supporters, but there are many areas in the North of England which it will not help at all.

Simon Cooke: We need more politicians. It is the only way to tame the unaccountable bureaucrats.

Instead of seeing local councillors as a potential saving, maybe we should see them as an asset.

John O’Connell: Why supporters of low taxes should be optimistic about this Government

The Prime Minister’s spending commitments sit alongside welcome proposals for devolution and reform.

Sam Packer: Less than a third of municipal-owned art is on public display

The average value of collections for each council is around £7 million.

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.