Toby Lloyd: Two years since Johnson promised to level up Britain, has the detail proven better than the spin?

The appointment of O’Brien to lead the forthcoming levelling-up white paper shows real commitment to the agenda.

Johnson puts the case for more localism in England. Now he must deliver it.

The more radical his plans are, the more resistance there will be. But one can’t serve up a municipal omelette without breaking eggs.

John Penrose: Is the traditional Tory belief in free enterprise leaving the station?

Ultimately, we either believe in free enterprise, and put customers and passengers ahead of fat-cat bosses and bureaucrats, or we don’t.

Richard Holden: Levelling up is for voters in the South as well as my constituents in Durham

The Government’s planning proposals haven’t even gone out to consultation yet – and everyone knows that the current system’s broken.

Adrian Lee: Delays, filth,Traveller’s Fare, Savile, Gary Glitter – and a failed service. Beware of Ministers re-inventing British Rail.

Privatisation was the wave of the future during the 1990s. Great British Railways risks turning its back on progress.

Henry Hill: ‘Great British Railways’ must be far more than an English franchise reorganisation

Also: The new Ulster Unionist leader is right that Northern Ireland suffers for having no government MPs. What will he do about it?

Angela Richardson: Lessons from our local election defeats in Surrey

New housing must strengthen, not undermine a sense of community. Guildford residents don’t want the sort of tower blocks seen in Woking.

Sam Hall: Conservative lessons from Houchen and Street about how to respond to the Greens

By uniting behind Johnson’s plan, and replicating the approach of these two mayors, the the environment can become a winning issue for the party.

The pragmatic, moderate and successful conservatism of Andy Street

He’s proof that your boat can be swept along by the same tide as others, but how you steer it is a matter of individual style.

Robin Hodgson: In 50 years, our population will have increased by over 50 per cent – not counting Hong Kongers. Is this sustainable?

Both the short and long term implications of this rise are baleful. Demography is destiny – and the Government should act.

Gareth Johnson: An Outer London Congestion Charge would be catastrophic for Dartford

The people who will pay this charge have no say over who the London Mayor is. It is a form of taxation without representation or accountability.

Jonathan Werran: More rail investment won’t lead to recovery without more local governance

The final piece in a ConservativeHome mini-series this week on the railways after Covid.

Susan Hall: Khan has great power. Yet he acts like a commentator.

For five years, he has pleaded poverty, passed blame, and avoided responsibility, instead of delivering for Londoners.

WATCH: Shapps hails “light at the end of the tunnel” for reopening international travel

The Transport Secretary also predicted a post-Brexit boom, “if we use these new freedoms wisely, if we think and act like more of an up-start nation”.

Tony Lodge: Why radical railway action can save money – and reshape a sector which will never be the same again

The opening piece in a ConservativeHome mini-series this week on the railways after Covid.