James Frayne: Remain-voting ministers don’t understand voters’ views on immigration, and so wildly overcompensate

Aggressive Home Office measures appear to be designed by people who wrongly assume that illiberal ideas must appeal to the primitive desires of the masses.

James Frayne: The local elections – and why London modernisation won’t work for provincial Britain

They want to know that their political leaders aren’t racist or judgemental or stuck in a 1950s parody – but they aren’t interested in hearing about these ideas primarily.

James Frayne: Violence is set to become a mainstream political issue in London

Stop and search requires very careful and sensitive handling, but it’s hard to conclude that an increase isn’t warranted.

James Frayne: May needs more brains in Whitehall as well as boots on the ground to make Brexit work

Here are just a few of the ways that I have seen work and that government should be adopting more broadly.

James Frayne: National security isn’t a priority for most voters. But here’s why it could matter at the next election.

It can be a proxy for “leadership” – and it offers the chance to further differentiate the party culturally from Labour.

James Frayne: The polling shows that British voters harbour a deep suspicion of Putin and the Russian state

Foreign policy is rarely at the centre of our politics, but the electorate are now likely to judge potential leaders in part on their stance towards the Kremlin.

James Frayne: Stop and Search. Controversial, yes – but necessary.

One of the complaints that came up from the groups I ran – particularly from those from minority communities – is that some people get treated more leniently than others.

James Frayne: Capping energy prices is less of a vote-winner than you might assume

What’s more, to have any effect it would need to be part of a broader suite of interventionist policies – territory where Conservatives’ can never out-socialist Labour.

James Frayne: Focusing on university fees neglects the most important and potent parts of the new education review

Vocational and technical education are key to changing lives, and hold the potential to change people’s votes, too. They should dominate the Government’s attention.

James Frayne: Those who use the Oxfam scandal to bash overseas aid risk looking opportunistic in the extreme

While polls show that clear majorities believe the aid budget to be too high, they continue to pour their own money into international development charities.

James Frayne: Johnson is the only person making a popular pitch to voters – Downing Street is unwise to slap him down

They might think him crass, or judge him to be over-reaching – but they haven’t come up with any equivalent ideas themselves. It’s time to announce some popular stuff.

James Frayne: Six barriers to voting Tory

In trying to maximise the Party’s vote share, it’s essential that a proper audit of these barriers takes place (and others will no doubt think of some I have missed).

James Frayne: Worboys, acid attacks, knife crime – and why the Conservatives are vulnerable on law and order

Most people believe the main purpose of prison is to punish rather than rehabilitate, and overwhelmingly back tougher sentencing and an end to “early release”.

James Frayne: May is right to drop her vote on the hunting ban – it should never have been in the manifesto in the first place

At best, people don’t think about the issue. But as soon as they do, they overwhelmingly support the ban. A vote would have been hugely damaging.

James Frayne: Hostility to the baby boomers is politically suicidal – and deeply unfair

The idea that those now entering old age somehow had it easy is completely wrong. And so is the myth that they are intolerant and narrow-minded.