The MP for Sutton and Cheam will have his work cut out to reconnect the Tories to a city which some fear could become their “next Scotland”.
Both of the national parties are built around different attitudes to economic policy, and the Scottish Parliament’s new responsibilities will force tough choices on the SNP.
Also: Sargeant’s son to contest his seat at Welsh by-election; and Labour may use direct rule to align Northern Irieland with the mainland on abortion and gay marriage.
The Tories are working hard not just to argue but to demonstrate that Scottish interests are best served within British institutions and frameworks.
The lack of a Conservative Commons majority prevented the Chancellor from doing much more than playing it safe – which he did effectively.
The 1997 experience of Downing Street keeping the manifesto process to itself was unhappy. The Party needs to draw on wider talent to reinvent itself in government.
Just as with Leave voters, another big swath of the electorate might be abandoned to Ruth Davidson as her rivals focus elsewhere.
We need to face up to a fall in house prices to allow the aspirations of the young to be fulfilled. The alternative is a Corbyn Government.
Letting disagreements about Brexit leak into the Budget’s treatment could deal the Government irreparable damage – and voters much harm.
To reduce investment in infrastructure or R&D is to take away from the future – just as surely as running up unsustainable debt does.
This will mean that the Party must enter uncomfortable territory and embrace taxes on wealth and inheritance.
“The language should be that of giving people their chance to succeed and of being on their side – a “people politics” that many practice locally but which must be scaled up.”
There was a genuine sense of grievance that policy suggestions and campaigning ideas are never listened to.
I joined the Conservatives six months after this year’s general election, with a vision to help us progress in the area of social equality.