Local elections in depth: Tunbridge Wells illustrates the challenge of overcoming distrust of new developments

We continue our series, putting this year’s local elections under the magnifying glass to find changes and trends.

Be ready for a general election in the spring of 2023

These elections were very good indeed for the Conservatives – though there are warning signs of a potential Blue Wall effect in the south.

Iain Dale: Bracknell, Broadland, Tunbridge Wells, Conservative candidacies and my future. A statement.

Plus: my profound sense of unease at the withdrawal of the whip from 21 Conservative MPs.

The local election aftermath. May and Corbyn are like two spooked children, drawing nearer for comfort as the thunder rages.

Will they now seek to appease turbulent voters by rushing her-deal-plus-the-Customs-Union through the Commons?

Clark’s association passes pro-Brexit motion opposing a delay beyond the European elections

Despite obvious points of disagreement, the AGM remained a “civilised and constructive” affair in which the Business Secretary sought to reassure his activists.

Iain Dale: Rudd, Clark, Gauke. After all their bluster about resigning, abstaining ministers took the cowardly way out

Plus: The Chief Whip’s swift transformation from Francis Urquhart to Mr Bean. And: why I can’t bring myself to vote Tory in the local elections.

Sally-Ann Hart: Restoring steam trains is a threat to the Rother Valley

Traffic jams are already bad enough – this project would make them worse. Road improvements are a better way to boost tourism.

Francis Davis: Why Hinds’ faith schools cap decision was right

Voluntary-aided status works both for Catholic schools and everyone else. Furthermore, lifting the cap from new institutions could have had unexpected consequences.

Jarrow goes blue! But May loses her seat! Yet it’s a Tory landslide! The amazing 2020 General Election.

We present dismissible projections drawn from last June’s results…and some electoral trends that are not so dismissible.

Iain Dale: For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, how can anyone who is Jewish vote for it?

Plus: Obama: so that went well, then. Scotland: will it go well for Davidson? Wales – it may go well for Neil Hamilton (remember him).

Harry Fairhead: From Windsor to Weymouth – a list of Council Tax heroes and villains

A 58 per cent rise in the tax over the last two decades should serve as a warning against further hikes.

William Rutherford: We urgently need to rebuild Party membership

In Kent, we’re introducing a hassle-free supporters programme to reconnect with local voters and secure a future for our campaign machine.

Iain Dale: And the politician my next fund-raiser will be for is…

Plus: The irresistible Andrew Kennedy. Labour’s Rochester & Strood failure. Where’s a) Mo Ansar? b) Helen Grant c) The Bow Group? In praise of Andrew Neil. And: Lots of bad language

Iain Dale: The idiocy of Lord Oakeshott

Plus: What Salmond wouldn’t do if the BBC was on fire. Cable’s slow boat to China. How I voted. With a luvvie on Marr. An unconventional interview response. And: I’m staying!