Rupert Barnes: Let’s do more to celebrate our historic counties

Remember where we are; remember what has come down to us. Our unique heritage is there to be opened up.

Will Tanner: The Budget choice on ending austerity. Raise taxes – or ease up on deficit reduction.

In the final article of our mini-series, the Onward Director says that there must also be a new strategy to help boost Britain’s productivity rate.

Robert Goodwill: The Commons Bill this week which prepares the way for a Green Brexit

Last week, I sowed wild bird seed mixtures so that, in the spring, some of our fields will be ablaze with nectar plants and buzzing with insects once more.

James Frayne: To contest big state ideas, small state conservatives need to get to grips with the detail

They must also rediscover the interests of the consumer – and be better at engaging working class voters on social issues.

The Conservatives are contesting all but 13 of the 4,413 local election races – more than Labour

Full slates of Tory candidates have been achieved in the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, South West and London (the first time in the capital since 1986).

Kevin Hollinrake: Teesside offers a positive example of devolution that Yorkshire could follow

In the third piece in our three-part mini-series, the Thirsk and Malton MP explores how the North East might help the One Yorkshire dream to come true.

Jon Aydon: The north’s Labour leaders have gained new powers and money – now they must present a vision to match

Decades of under-investment in transport are being corrected – but we need an ambitious strategy for what comes next.

Warwick Lightfoot: The right post-Brexit farming policy could unleash agricultural innovation and lighten the load on consumers

Reform must be phased, to allow farmers to adapt, but it will pay dividends.

If more Cabinet members had won their seats from Labour, perhaps it would leak just a little bit less

Maybe it was ever thus, at least in modern times, but Tory-held suburban seats outside the South-East are under-represented at the top table.

The crucial difference between a non-win this month and the win in 2015 was the failure of the Tory machine

May won five per cent more of the vote than Cameron did two years ago. The margin between having a majority and not having one was performance in marginal seats.

May pursues Erdington Man (and Woman)

Instead of trying to work out what the general election result will be, it might be useful to try to work out what the Conservatives think it will be.

Battleground Seats 3) Yorkshire and the Humber

Continuing our ConservativeHome series, which will run each Monday during the election campaign, on the key contests in each region.

Maggie May

The logic of her view that no deal is better than a bad one suggests that, like Thatcher at Fontainebleau, she is prepared to walk away if necessary.

Judy Terry: Some flexibility with planning rules is needed to save old buildings

Sensitive development for some commercial use or new housing could be the difference between sustainability and eventual loss.

Alex Story: I’m a dedicated Conservative but CCHQ has allowed an administrative cock-up to end my career

The Conservative cause is meant to be about basic decency, fairness, justice, and an equal chance for all. The Party machinery doesn’t live up to those ideals.