The Conservatives gained a seat from the Lib Dems in South Cambridgeshire. But the Conservatives lost seats to an independent in Nottinghamshire, to Labour in Lichfield and to the Lib Dems in Wiltshire.
There were only two contests this week. Labour held a seat in Sandwell and gained a seat from the Conservatives in Derbyshire.
Much talk about the “painful choices” of spending cuts and tax increases. But releasing surplus public sector land to provide a million new homes a year, for five years, offers a way out.
The Proposition 13 vote in 1978 brought in dramatic tax cuts in California and a great boost in economic growth. We should learn from the Americans how to invigorate local democracy.
The Conservatives gained a seat from the Lib Dems in Fareham. But the Conservatives lost a seat to the Lib Dems in Guildford and also one to Labour in Broadland.
Those wasted assets are worth around £4 billion. They should be sold off to increase the housing supply and reduce the National Debt.
Shadow Ministers have attacked the idea. But Labour councils were falling over themselves to put in bids. Levelling up is now about a hand up not a hand out.
The Conservatives gained a seat from Labour in Leicester and another one from the Green party in Epping Forest.. The Conservatives also held a seat in Gloucester.
£50 million of funding was announced this week for 13 councils to research “health inequalities”. The practical benefit has not been made clear.
After it issued an Inclusive Language Guide some may question whether this lobby group represents good value for the £53 million of taxpayer’s money it spends each year.
Labour gained a seat from the Conservatives in Shropshire, while Plaid Cymru gained a seat from Labour in Ceredigion.
The Conservatives lost a seat to Labour in Newark and Sherwood. But the Conservatives held two seats in Rossendale.
The Conservatives gained a seat from Labour in Coventry. But the Conservatives lost a seat to the Green Party in Wealden.
Free market reforms need to be bold and implemented rapidly if they are to have the best chance of being a proven success by the next General Election.
A sense of proportion and common sense is lacking with development rules concerning the environment. Ministers should accept responsibility.