Tory Party conference – live: Gove says he apologised to Johnson ‘a long time ago’ for leadership knifing

Michael Gove has said he apologised “a long time ago” to Boris Johnson after the pair fell out when they ran for the leadership of the Tory party, as the first day of the party’s conference came to a close.

Asked whether he had said sorry for “knifing” the former prime minister, Gove told GB News: “I think a long time ago, yes.”

Gove said Johnson had “massive gifts” but “made some mistakes”, adding: “I had the opportunity to talk to him at a social event a wee while ago – but he’s now a private citizen, so that’s a private conversation.”

Elsewhere, the chairman of the Conservative party Greg Hands says the party will be the ‘underdogs’ to win the next election in his Tory Conference speech on Sunday.

Mr Hands said: “Rishi Sunak is the right man to steer this country through extremely challenging times.”

His confident speech came hours after Sunak told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg he would prioritise halving inflation over cutting taxes - sparking rows within the party as senior MPs called on the prime minister to reduce the burden ahead of the next national poll.

Key Points

• Sunak faces open revolt over refusal to back tax cuts

• Poll: Sunak’s party faces wipe out at general election

• ‘Of course I want to cut taxes’, but cutting inflation is priority, says Sunak

• Braverman accused of ‘attention’ seeking over Washington speech

• ‘Keep option open’ to quit ECHR, says Gove in fresh Tory clash

Tory minister claims councils want to decide ‘how often you can go to shops’

12:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Transport secretary Mark Harper managed to get through his conference speech without a single mention of HS2.

Mr Harper instead talked up the supposed “war on motorists” and said the Tories will stop the “misuse of 15-minute cities” – before claiming that local authorities wanted to regulate how often people could drive to the shops.

The cabinet minister said: “What is sinister is the idea of local councils deciding how often you can go to the shops.” Councils do not decide how often people can go to shops.

Jeremy Hunt signals axe for HS2’s northern leg as he slams ‘totally unacceptable’ costs

11:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has given the clearest signal yet that he is ready to axe HS2’s northern leg as he attacked some of the high-speed rail project’s “totally unacceptable” costs.

The chancellor is under mounting pressure to spell out the future of the HS2 after The Independent revealed that he and Rishi Sunak were in talks to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester route.

Reports suggest Mr Hunt has already signed off on “reallocating” money for HS2’s northern leg to other transport projects – but Mr Sunak is yet to approve the radical move.

Jeremy Hunt signals axe for HS2 as he slams ‘totally unacceptable’ costs

Truss to stir up trouble at Tory conference

11:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Liz Truss is set to cause trouble for Rishi Sunak over tax cuts, energy policy and housing at a “Great British Growth Rally” of allies at 12 noon.

“Let’s stop taxing and banning things, and start producing and building things,” the former PM will say.

Truss resigned just 15 days after her own ill-fated conference last year – having near crashed the economy with her disastrous mini-Budget. Not everyone is pleased to see her.

Ben Houchen, the popular Tory mayor of Tees Valley, took aim at Ms Truss and her “posturing” allies – saying it was “disappointing” that she showed her face.

‘Conservative backs drivers while Labour taxes drivers,’ transport sec says

11:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Resuming the narrative of placing Just Stop Oil and Labour on the same team, Mark Harper MP said the Tories have “a long-term plan to back drivers” while Labour wants to “tax drivers”.

He said Labour would put Just Stop Oil “in the driving seat” and fix a camera “on every lamppost” while the Tories stand for “freedom”, adding the Conservatives stand for making the “hard but necessary long-term decisions”.

Tory party ‘proudly pro-car'

11:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Transport secretary Mark Harper has said the Conservative Party is “proudly pro-car” in what appeared to be a veiled swipe at the ULEZ scheme.

The minister is yet to mention HS2, but said buses are the “backbone” of transport.

Transport secretary takes stage

11:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The transport secretary Mark Harper has now taken the stage in a much anticipated speech amid the fiery HS2 rows. Stay tuned to hear what the minister says.

11:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt clashes with GMB host in fiery interview from Tory Party conference

Energy secretary attacks Starmer’s ‘green credentials'

11:19 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The energy secretary added that Keir Starmer’s party threatens the Net Zero target more than climate change deniers.

In an attack on Starmer, she said the Labour leader’s “only green credential is his recycling of Ed Miliband”.

She added Labour’s plans are “toxic,” choosing “ideology over reason at every turn”.

Energy secretary says climate group Just Stop Oil ‘do not get it'

11:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Energy secretary Claire Coutinho said groups like Just Stop Oil “do not get it” as she pushed a divisive narrative against climate groups.

She said: “They want to force people to behave a certain way” while showing a “disregard” for people’s ordinary way of life.

Watch live: Conservative Party Conference enters second day as leadership battle ramps up

11:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Live: Conservative Party Conference enters second day as leadership battle ramps up

Tory minister for rail and HS2 says project ‘beset with difficulties'

11:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking at the same event Huw Merriman, the Conservative minister for rail and HS2, said it was “all speculation at the moment” but that “things will become clearer”.

He said HS2 was “crowding out other opportunities to deliver more across the country” because of its rising costs.

“The problem with HS2 of course, is well documented. It has gone over budget and it has gone over time,” the minister said.

“It’s a project that has been beset with difficulties.

“If all the rail budget goes on HS2 and increases in cost on HS2 then it gets lost on other parts that HS2 is not going to.”

HS2 row boils over at Tory Conference

11:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The row over the Independent’s revelation that HS2 could be cut has boiled over at Tory conference on Monday morning.

Speaking at a transport fringe event Northern Powerhouse Partnership chief Henri Murrison, who represents businesses across the north, accused Rishi Sunak of not telling the truth about the effect of cancelling the project.

“Why on earth would the government consider that cancelling a new line across the Pennines is a good idea, and why on earth will the government not be more honest about the fact that if you cut HS2 between Birmingham and Manchester you would have to put £15bn back in the Northern Powerhouse Rail [NPR] budget to avoid cancelling NPR as well,” he told the event.

“Stop claiming that if you cut HS2 it has nothing to do with Northern Powerhouse Rail. I’m happy to have a policy debate, but I’m sick of being lied to and people being dishonest in the media.”

Boris backer urges Tory donors not to give Sunak any money

10:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Peter Cruddas – an ardent supporter of Boris Johnson – has urged Tory donors not to give any more to the party until more power is handed to grassroots.

Speaking at the gala dinner of his Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) last night – attended by Priti Patel – Lord Cruddas said: “We have to be true to ourselves and not blindly support a Conservative party that no longer represents our values and is heading for electoral disaster.”

Who is speaking at the Conference today?

10:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Here is today’s line up of senior Tories:

From 11am:

• Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

• Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport

• Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

From 2pm:

• Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer

• Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade

• Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

• Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education

Truss arrives at Tory Conference in Manchester

10:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Liz Truss was all smiles as she arrived at the Conservative Party annual conference - a year since her disastrous mini-budget tanked the economy.

Today, the former prime minister does not appear to be haunted by past mistakes as she is expected to call for tax cuts, fracking and measures to boost housebuilding in a bid to put pressure on Rishi Sunak from the Tory right.

Priti Patel refuses to rule out leadership bid

10:29 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Former home secretary Priti Patel has refused to rule out a future leadership bid, amid whispers that she could act as flagbearer for the pro-growth, tax-cutting Liz Truss camp as a ‘stop Suella Braverman’ candidate.

Ms Patel won’t rule out standing for the leadership, but told the i that jostling and positioning at the of the Tory conference was “disappointing” in an apparent dig at Suella Braverman.

Ms Patel also criticised Ms Braverman’s push to quit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). “We’re living in an era where it’s too easy to say things that make you sound popular and make it sound easy.”

PM should be able to sack Bank of England boss, says Frost

10:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Liz Truss should have been able to sack the Bank of England governor, according to former Brexit minister David Frost.

Questioning the independence of the central bank, the right-winger told a fringe event all PMs should be able to sack the chief. “I think the prime minister should be able to fire the governor of the Bank of England.”

What is the ‘social contract’?

10:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt has referred to the “social contract” in two separate interviews this morning.

In reference to Suella Braverman’s migration policy, he said: “She’s absolutely right that the social contract that makes Britain one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to immigrants depends on fairness.”

He also referred to the social contract when talking about setting out tougher welfare rules and boosting the living wage.

But what is the social contract?

A social contract refers to an agreement between the government and its citizens, setting out the rights and responsibilities of each.

There isn’t an actual written contract between the UK government and British citizens.

In real terms, it refers to things such as security, employment, and social welfare provided by the government. In return for these, we pay taxes and allow the government to decide where our taxes are spent.

For example, our taxes fund the NHS, which means we do not have to pay out-of-pocket for most healthcare services.

What’s going on at the Tory Conference?

09:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Also emerging from the Tory Conference:

• Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will set out plans to ban mobile phones from classrooms in England, with a source telling the Daily Mail she believes the devices “pose a serious challenge in terms of distraction, disruptive behaviour and bullying”.

• Former prime minister Liz Truss will call for tax cuts, fracking and measures to boost housebuilding in a bid to put pressure on Rishi Sunak from the Tory right.

• Kemi Badenoch, seen as a potential successor to Mr Sunak, will use her conference speech to stress her Brexiteer credentials and accuse critics of seeking to talk down the UK.

Senior Tories respond to Braverman’s speech

09:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As well as Jeremy Hunt, other senior Tories, including the home secretary’s predecessor Dame Priti Patel, have also taken aim at Suella Braverman’s speech.

On Sunday, Dame Priti suggested the remarks may have been made to “get attention” and was “no substitute for action” on preventing small boats of migrants crossing the Channel.

The former home secretary also appeared to criticise Mrs Braverman’s declaration that multiculturalism had failed, saying integration in Britain by ethnic minorities is something to be “proud of”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to stop the boats - one of his five commitments to the electorate ahead of a likely general election next year.

Almost 25,000 migrants have arrived on small boats since January, although that is around a quarter down on the same period last year.

09:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tory candidate accidentally says ‘I’ll be first female Labour mayor’ in speech gaffe

Watch: Chancellor says government not in position to consider ‘big tax cuts'

09:29 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ahead of his speech today at the Tory Party conference, Jeremy Hunt has ruled out cutting taxes this year on the grounds that to do so would fuel inflation.

The chancellor said meaningful tax cuts are not possible “at the moment”, despite levelling up secretary Michael Gove calling for the tax burden to come down.

Hunt ‘wouldn’t use Braverman’s words’ on migration

09:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt appeared to distance himself from Suella Braverman’s approach to migration as he said he “wouldn’t use her words”.

Asked about the Home Secretary’s speech, which was criticised by the United Nations refugee agency and fellow Tory MPs, the chancellor told TalkTV: “I am married to an immigrant and I’ve always believed that we benefit massively as a country from welcoming the brightest and best from all over the world.

“Suella Braverman wouldn’t use my words, I wouldn’t use her words.

“But she’s absolutely right that the social contract that makes Britain one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to immigrants depends on fairness.

“And what we’re seeing at the moment with these criminal gangs smuggling thousands of people over the Channel is not fair. It’s an abuse of the way the law works in Britain, it’s an abuse of all the public services that you get free of charge here.

“And she is absolutely right to tackle that because otherwise we will undermine that social contract, and we won’t have that tolerant attitude that we’re so proud of having in this country.”

Sunak faces open revolt over refusal to back tax cuts

09:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak will attempt to get back on the front foot with a benefits crackdown after a torrid first day of his annual party conference in which he came under pressure from senior Conservatives over tax cuts and HS2.

After an unhelpful intervention from senior cabinet minister Michael Gove – who said he wanted taxes to come down before the election – the PM was forced to resist calls to pledge pre-poll giveaways.

He also faced fresh calls to commit to the northern leg of HS2 from his own former levelling up minister who quit the department just last month, and the former Tory party chairman.

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest report:

Sunak faces open revolt over refusal to back tax cuts

Cutting taxes pre-election would be ‘inflationary’- Hunt

09:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt has said that he would “love to cut taxes before an election”.

But the chancellor stuck to his mantra that to do so “now” would be inflationary.

His comments came in an interview with the BBC’s Today programme, as he came under pressure over comments from Michael Gove.

His cabinet colleague on Sunday said he would like to see the tax burden fall before the next election.

Hunt on striking doctors

08:54 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt said high pay for doctors covering for striking colleagues is an example of “inefficiencies” in the NHS.

It comes after it was reported they are being paid up to £7,900 a shift.

The Chancellor told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Doctors are choosing to strike and what I would say to them is: ‘We’ve offered you an above inflation award that wasn’t decided by the Government, it was decided by an independent pay review body.’

“But fundamentally, those numbers are an example of the inefficiencies in the way the NHS is run. Because even outside strikes, we pay locum doctors enormous sums of money.”

Hunt admits taking flight to Manchester from London amid HS2 row

08:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt has admitted he took a short-haul domestic flight to Tory conference in Manchester from London – amid reports he is about to cancel an improved rail link to the city.

With the row over the northern left of HS2 raging, the chancellor told BBC Breakfast: “I took a BA flight because I was told that my train had been cancelled.”

The flight from London Heathrow Airport to Manchester takes around an hour, according to the British Airways schedule.

The Guardian first reported that Mr Hunt was arriving by plane.

Scheduled trains, which were running on Sunday morning following a strike on Saturday, takes a little over two hours.

Mr Hunt added: “I’ll probably be driving home because I think there’s another train strike on Wednesday.”

08:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Conservative Party chairman says Tories will fight general election as ‘underdogs’

08:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking elsewhere on his broadcast round, Jeremy Hunt told LBC: “I need to have an answer why it costs 10 times more to build high speed rail in this country than it does across the Channel in France.

“Some of that spending you’ve been talking about (on public relation costs) is totally unacceptable.”

Yesterday, Levelling-up secretary Michael Gove and Transport secretary Mark Harper both gave similar answers.

Ministers tread carefully around HS2

08:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

With the question of HS2 hanging over Tory conference in Manchester, cabinet ministers have so far refused to be drawn on the future of the rail line.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is no exception this morning.

Speaking on Sky News, he said it would not be the “appropriate time” to announce any changes, despite the conference being held in the city that would miss out.

“In terms of things like the northern leg of HS2, whatever decision we make, we will take very careful note of the need to have proper economic infrastructure throughout the whole country,” he told the broadcaster.

“In terms of this specific decision I’m afraid you will have to wait. We will make the announcement at the appropriate time.”

Watch: Protesters march through Manchester as Conservative Party annual conference begins

08:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As the second of the Tory Party conference commences, protestors marched through Manchester with banners which read: “Tories out” and “Defend the right to strike.”

What’s happening at the Tory Party conference today?

08:03 , Jon Stone

Jon Stone reports from live from the scene:

Good morning from the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, where we’re expecting Tory leadership hopefuls to set out their stalls in the hope of succeeding Rishi Sunak.

Liz Truss and Priti Patel are set to speak to the party faithful at fringe events today. They are widely expected to create dividing lines with Rishi Sunak, who seems to be heading for an election defeat next year.

One person who doesn’t seem to be getting in on the action is Jeremy Hunt.

Doing the rounds with broadcasters on Monday morning ahead of his speech to the conference, the chancellor told Times Radio he had been “completely cured” of leadership ambitions.

Asked whether he had a leadership campaign in the works, he said: “I’m pleased to say I’ve been completely cured of that at the moment.”

The chancellor added that “there is another reason not just to do with Jeremy Hunt”, which is that “we have an amazing prime minister”.

Defending M Sunak, Mr Hunt said his boss “works phenomenally hard” and “has an incredible grasp of detail”.

“I think we’re going to see a lot more of that problem solving as we go forward.”

Hunt took 30-minute flight to Manchester from London

07:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The chancellor chose to fly to Manchester from London rather than taking the more sustainable route of train.

Jeremy Hunt flew on BA1372 in economy class from Heathrow airport on a 30-minute flight, the Guardian reported.

The train from London takes around two hours in comparison.

It is understood that Mr Hunt chose to fly due to concerns about rail strikes delaying an important meeting with the Japanese ambassador on Sunday morning.

Hunt leaves door open to pre-election giveaway

07:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Despite appearing to immediately rule out tax cuts, Jeremy Hunt left the door open to a pre-election giveaway in a year’s time.

The chancellor told Sky News he did not have a “a crystal ball” when asked if his warning that there was no cash to spare would last until next year.

“I can’t tell you what the state of the economy will be going forward. What I can say is it’s very difficult to see having this kind of tax cut this year,” he said.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t tell you what is going to be happening with the economy.

“If you’re asking me is it something I’m willing to put us on a path to doing, I do want us to have lower taxes, and I’m prepared to take the difficult decisions to make that happen.”

‘Difficult path’ ahead of tax cuts, Hunt warns

07:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking on Times Radio ahead of his speech today, chancellor Jeremy Hunt was asked about calls within his party to cut taxes.

“We would all love to see taxes cut and as a Conservative facing an election, I believe in lowering taxes,” he told the broadcaster. “But we don’t know whether that’s going to be possible before the next election.

“At the moment as I look at the national finances, our debt interest payments are much higher than they were in the Spring Budget, because of long-term interest rates, interest rate projections being higher.”

The chancellor added: “But if we’re prepared to walk this difficult path, it is possible to bring down taxes and we won’t hesitate to do that, but we can’t say when it will be possible to do that.”

Hunt probed on triple lock pensions

07:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

When asked about triple lock pensions this morning, Jeremy Hunt told Sky News: “You will hear what we’re going to do on that in the Autumn Statement.

“But look at our actions to date, we’ve always prioritised that group of people.”

Hunt ‘completely cured’ of leadership intentions

07:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt said he has been “completely cured” of any leadership ambitions.

Asked whether he has ruled out any future bid for the leadership of the Tory party, the Chancellor told Times: “I’m pleased to say I’ve been completely cured of that at the moment.”

He said the “there is another reason not just to do with Jeremy Hunt”, which is that “we have an amazing Prime Minister”.

Heaping praise on Rishi Sunak, Mr Hunt said he “works phenomenally hard” and “has an incredible grasp of detail”.

“I think we’re going to see a lot more of that problem solving as we go forward.”

A run down of the Tory party conference so far

07:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest give a rundown of party ruptures so far as Sunak still won’t come clean about plan to scrap the Northern leg of HS2

• Business secretary Kemi Badenoch called for withdrawal of the European Convention on Human Rights to be “on the table”

• Liz Truss prepared to call for Sunak to act on tax cuts at a right-wing rally

• Sunak insisted Britain wasn’t a ‘laughing stock’ over HS2 – despite Ms Badenoch’s admission investors are concerned

• Ex-Tory MP Nadine Dorries vowed to attend the conference and boasted about Boris’ popularity.

• Michael Gove clashed with cabinet colleague Tom Tugendhat over quitting the ECHR

‘Big tax cuts not possible,’ Hunt says

07:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Hunt appeared to rule out slashing inheritance tax as he stressed no tax cuts are currently possible.

Asked about a potential cut to death duties, the Chancellor told GB News: “I’m basically saying that I don’t think it’s going to be possible to do any big tax cuts.

“On the basis first of all of the public finances as we see them because our debt interest payments have gone up a lot, but also because it would compromise our battle against inflation.”

Pressed again on whether he was ruling it out, he said “no tax cuts are possible in a substantial way at the moment”.

“It’s not just inheritance tax, it’s income tax, it’s all the different taxes that people look at.”

Politics explained - Could Liz Truss run again for the Tory leadership?

06:00 , Lydia Patrick

The ex-PM is said to be considering another tilt for the top job in the event of a Tory general election loss. Adam Forrest takes a look the frontrunners to succeed Rishi Sunak

Read the full take here

Could Liz Truss run again for Tory leadership?

'The Tory party conference is starting to look more like a wake’

05:00 , Lydia Patrick

Poling guru John Curtice tallies up the party’s successes and failures in the eyes of the voters – and the outlook is grim for Rishi Sunak

The party finds itself on average 18 points behind Labour in the polls, little better than its position 12 months ago after Liz Truss was displaced as prime minister by Rishi Sunak. Meanwhile, YouGov’s data suggests that Mr Sunak’s initial personal popularity has largely disappeared, leaving him barely any more popular than his party.

In short, the Conservatives appear to be heading unwaveringly on a course that leads towards heavy defeat in an election that is now at most little more than a year away.

Read Curtice’s full take here:

The Tory party conference is starting to look more like a wake | John Curtice

ICYMI- Priti Patel says Suella Braverman's US immigration speech was for 'attention'

04:00 , Lydia Patrick

Tory mayor says he would not bet on party winning next election

03:00 , Lydia Patrick

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has said he would not bet on the Conservatives winning the next election.

Lord Houchen, who received a peerage in former prime minister Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list, told an event on the fringe of the Conservative Party Conference that the party “can” win the general election, but still had more to do.

Asked whether he would bet on a Tory victory, he said: “Not at the moment, because we need to do more to give those people (who voted Conservative in 2019) the excuse.

“Just look back. This is not complex, politics is not complex. We’ve had three prime ministers in 12, 15 months. It doesn’t matter whether you like the Conservative Party or not, people are not going to get behind a party that has gone through the last 12 or 15 months.”

Read the full story here

Tory mayor says he would not bet on party winning next election

Rishi Sunak must ‘stick’ with pro-cycling plans, says Chris Boardman

02:00 , Lydia Patrick

Rishi Sunak has been urged to “stick with” plans to boost walking and cycling by Olympic gold winner Chris Boardman as the Prime Minister vows to combat a supposed “war on motorists”.

The cyclist, who is the Government’s active travel commissioner, argued on Sunday that promoting more car driving could backfire to make driving more “miserable” by creating more traffic.

Head of the Government agency Active Travel England, Mr Boardman also raised concerns about the “language” being deployed around the plans to make driving easier.

He said it is essential that local consent is not ignored over 20mph zones and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) ahead of the full plans being unveiled.

Mr Boardman said he was awaiting “the detail“ of policy being billed as restricting such measures.

Read the full story here

Chris Boardman: Rishi Sunak must ‘stick’ with pro-cycling plans

ICYMI- Rishi Sunak’s interview with Laura Kuenssberg

01:00 , Lydia Patrick

More hesitation over the ECHR

Monday 2 October 2023 00:00 , Lydia Patrick

James Cleverly, speaking at the Onward fringe event, suggested that “activist judges” whether in the UK or in Strasbourg could always frustrate Government policy.

The Foreign Secretary said: “I get the frustration with sometimes activist judges. I would purely make the observation that just as France makes fantastic wine, but increasingly now we make some brilliant wine, so a lot of things that are wonderful overseas, we are able to produce here in the UK.

“And left-wing activist judges, we’ve got quite a few of those in the UK. And so one of the points I make is that as a government you have to deal with the judicial system and, were it not the ECHR, I’m sure we would have domestic judges that were trying to prevent us discharging our duty to British people. We have to deal with that.”

He added: “A lot of the institution, a lot of the agreements, that were put in place in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War are in many instances now 70-plus years old, and we need to make sure that they remain relevant to the modern world.”

He said that the UK could deal with people smugglers and “break the model without necessarily needing to leave the ECHR”.

Sunak insists UK is not a ‘laughing stock’ as he fails to rule on HS2’s future

Sunday 1 October 2023 23:00 , Lydia Patrick

Rishi Sunak has insisted the UK is not a “laughing stock” as he failed to announce a decision on whether HS2 will ever reach Manchester as he visited the city for the Tory party conference.

The Prime Minister on Sunday “completely” rejected the allegation from critics, which include leaders across the North as well as predecessors at the top of the Conservatives.

Theresa May is the latest former premier to urge Mr Sunak not to ditch the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the high-speed rail project that was designed to link the North and London.

A drastic cost-cutting exercise could also see it end at Old Oak Common in the capital’s western suburbs rather than reach its centre.

But the Prime Minister has refused to make clear what his plans are, instead relying on his get-out of not commenting on “speculation”.

Oak Common instead of Euston London would leave HS2 as a “white elephant”.

Back Rishi or ‘shut up’, Liz Truss told

Sunday 1 October 2023 22:00 , Lydia Patrick

Tory grandees have launched an extraordinary attack on former prime minister Liz Truss amid fears her appearance at their party conference will undermine Rishi Sunak’s electoral prospects.

One said their ex-party leader should back the prime minister or “shut up”, adding she had “zero credibility”.

Mr Sunak is hoping to use the event in Manchester to convince voters he is the man to solve the UK’s problems. But senior Tories fear Ms Truss will instead remind the public of the economic chaos that defined her less than two months in office.

Ms Truss will speak at a “growth rally” at the conference, aimed at pushing Mr Sunak on tax cuts. Dubbed the Great British Growth Rally, organisers are already planning for a large turnout.

Read the full story here

Tory grandees warn Liz Truss: Back Rishi or shut up

Gove and Badenoch back option of quitting European Convention on Human Rights

Sunday 1 October 2023 21:30 , Lydia Patrick

Cabinet ministers Michael Gove and Kemi Badenoch have backed keeping open the option of leaving the European Convention on Human Rights as they struggle to curb unauthorised Channel crossings.

But there were signs of Cabinet divisions on Sunday as security minister Tom Tugendhat questioned that such a move could create problems for the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).

Mr Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, also called for pre-election tax cuts amid speculation that leading figures were jostling for the support of the Tory right in case of a future leadership contest.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has made threats about the ECHR as her Rwanda asylum policy remains stalled in the courts following legal challenges.

Ms Badenoch, the Business Secretary, told the Sunday Times that leaving the ECHR is “definitely something that needs to be on the table”.

Mr Gove, who supported Ms Badenoch in the Tory leadership contest to replace Boris Johnson, said they should “keep every option open” when asked at the Conservative conference in Manchester.

He declined to go further and say whether he actually supported leaving the convention when pressed at the event for the Onward think tank.

On the same panel, Mr Tugendhat said he is “always happy to listen to ideas” but added “I like to have the solutions that go along with them” particularly raising concerns about the Northern Ireland peace treaty, which incorporates the ECHR.

“What is the alternative for the GFA, for the devolved assemblies and administrations, what does it mean for the various different agreements we’ve struck already that are underpinned by it?” the security minister asked.

A run down of the Tory party conference so far

Sunday 1 October 2023 21:00 , Joe Middleton

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest give a rundown of party ruptures so far as Sunak still won’t come clean about plan to scrap the Northern leg of HS2

• Business secretary Kemi Badenoch called for withdrawal of the European Convention on Human Rights to be “on the table”

• Liz Truss prepared to call for Sunak to act on tax cuts at a right-wing rally

• Sunak insisted Britain wasn’t a ‘laughing stock’ over HS2 – despite Ms Badenoch’s admission investors are concerned

• Ex-Tory MP Nadine Dorries vowed to attend the conference and boasted about Boris’ popularity.

• Michael Gove clashed with cabinet colleague Tom Tugendhat over quitting the ECHR

Sunak faces open revolt over refusal to back tax cuts

Sunday 1 October 2023 20:45 , Lydia Patrick

Rishi Sunak will attempt to get back on the front foot with a benefits crackdown after a torrid first day of his annual party conference in which he came under pressure from senior Conservatives over tax cuts and HS2.

After an unhelpful intervention from senior cabinet minister Michael Gove – who said he wanted taxes to come down before the election – the PM was forced to resist calls to pledge pre-poll giveaways.

He also faced fresh calls to commit to the northern leg of HS2 from his own former levelling up minister, who quit the department just last month, and the former Tory party chairman.

Read the full report here

Sunak faces open revolt over refusal to back tax cuts

In pictures- The PM takes the stage

Sunday 1 October 2023 20:30 , Lydia Patrick

ICYMI - Braverman V Patel

Sunday 1 October 2023 20:15 , Lydia Patrick

Dame Priti Patel has described Suella Braverman’s controversial immigration speech as an attempt to draw “dividing lines” and “get attention” ahead of the next general election, Archie Mitchell reports.

The former home secretary accused her successor of making “interventions” that are not “a substitute for delivery”.

And Ms Patel warned ministers the public are “sick” or hearing about issues such as illegal immigration and the government’s “failure to deliver”.

“I think it’s right that everyone puts shoulder to the wheel and cracks on and does the work,” she added.

Her comments came after Ms Braverman faced a furious backlash for a speech in the US on immigration in which she claimed that fearing persecution over being gay or a woman is not enough to claim asylum.

Welsh Secretary calls for independent inquiry into health board

Sunday 1 October 2023 20:00 , Lydia Patrick

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has called for an independent inquiry into Wales’ biggest health board.

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was put into special measures earlier this year.

Speaking to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Sunday, Mr Davies said: “It’s absolutely vital that confidence in Welsh health boards is restored, which is why we call today on the Welsh Labour Government to launch an independent inquiry to uncover the many drastic failures (of) the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.”

The health board provides NHS services in North Wales.

The whole board was removed earlier this year, with Wales’ health and social services minister Eluned Morgan raising “serious concerns about performance, leadership and culture”.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Minister for Health and Social Services took the decision to place Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board into special measures in February this year, following serious concerns about governance, finance, performance and quality.

“Following this decision a number of reviews have been undertaken and a new leadership team including an interim chair, chief executive and independent members has been established.

“It is important to support this team to make the necessary changes to the organisation and improve the delivery of care to the people of north Wales. An inquiry would divert resources and attention away from this.”

ICYMI - Sunak challenged over public view of him as ‘rich’

Sunday 1 October 2023 19:45 , Lydia Patrick

Rishi Sunak has insisted that his decision to reduce the pace of net zero measures showed he was on the side of cash-strapped households despite his personal wealth.

The Prime Minister – who with his wife Akshata Murty has an estimated net worth of £529 million – was shown a word cloud on the BBC which suggested the main thing the public thought about him was he was “rich”.

But Mr Sunak pointed to his decisions on easing the shift away from gas boilers and petrol and diesel cars as signs he understood the cost pressures facing people.

“That is a decision which was motivated by me wanting to ease the burden on families,” he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

“And again, I get lots of criticism from people about that, people who could happily afford to rip out that boiler, install incredibly expensive energy efficiency upgrades in their rural home that’s off the gas grid, or change their car sooner than is necessary.

“It might be fine for them to do all those things. I don’t think it’s right, I don’t think it’s necessary. I want to save families £5-, £10-, £15-, £20,000. That’s why I made the decision I did.”

Sunak defends focus on halving inflation amid Tory clamour for tax cuts

Sunday 1 October 2023 19:30 , Lydia Patrick

Rishi Sunak compared himself to Margaret Thatcher as he resisted calls from Tories to commit to tax cuts in a pre-election giveaway.

The Prime Minister vowed to prioritise measures to reduce inflation rather than taxes, insisting his is a “deeply Conservative” approach.

UK Government will no longer ‘fade into background’ in Scotland, says Scottish Secretary

Sunday 1 October 2023 19:15 , Lydia Patrick

The era of allowing the UK Government’s role in Scotland to “fade into the background” is over, the Scottish Secretary has said.

Alister Jack was speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, where he accused the SNP of seeking to “undermine” the devolution settlement.

He said: “We recognised some time ago we had to change the damaging old philosophy of devolve and forget, leaving too much in the hands of the devolved administration in Holyrood and allowing the role of the UK Government to fade into the background.

“Well, today I can announce the era of devolve and forget is well and truly over.

“It is dead. It is finished. And I promise you, it is not coming back under my watch.

“On scores of projects we are now working directly with local councils and other responsible delivery partners. And I call that real devolution.”

He urged the Scottish Government to work constructively with the UK administration, saying that devolution works when Holyrood and Westminster are “respecting each other’s roles, and working together when we can”.

He added: “Unfortunately, my view is not shared by the nationalists.

“Time and time again they have sought to undermine the devolution settlement in order to provoke unnecessary disagreement between the two governments.”

His speech comes after recent clashes between the two governments led to court action.

This included the Scottish Government’s legal challenge against a decision by UK ministers to block controversial gender reform legislation.

Defence Secretary has announced £4 billion worth of ‘hunter-killer’ contracts

Sunday 1 October 2023 19:00 , Lydia Patrick

The Defence Secretary has announced £4 billion worth of contracts with British firms as part of the development of the “hunter-killer” submarine programme.

Grant Shapps said the submarines, which are to be nuclear-powered and conventionally armed, would be the “most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy”.

The Defence Secretary also announced RAF Typhoons have been sent to Poland to support the UK ally from the “threat of Russian interference”, and that hundreds of extra troops will be deployed in Kosovo following a request from Nato.

Speaking on the main stage of the Tory conference in Manchester, Mr Shapps said: “Today, I can announce that we’ve signed contracts worth £4 billion with leading British businesses to drive forward the development of the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.”

Mr Shapps said “these hunter-killer Aukus submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea”, and will support “thousands of jobs”.

The Conservative Party said the contracts have been signed with BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Babcock Marine, and will support thousands of British jobs.

Tory minister declines to bet £1000 on winning next election - citing her role in charge of gambling

Sunday 1 October 2023 18:45 , Lydia Patrick

Culture secretary Lucy Fraser has become the second cabinet minister to take a £100 bet that the Conservatives will win the next election – but stopped short of staking £1,000, citing her role in charge of gambling.

The Tories have been warned by Britain’s top pollster they are heading for potentially a landslide defeat at the general election, and that this week’s annual party conference risks being a “wake”.

Kate Devlin reports:

Tory minister bets £100 on next election - but declines to stake £1000

‘It’s probably a very controversial thing'

Sunday 1 October 2023 18:35 , Lydia Patrick

Lord Frost said that the prime minister of the day should be able to sack a governor of the Bank of England.

The Tory peer, speaking at a Centre for Policy Studies fringe event, said: “It’s probably a very controversial thing but I think the Prime Minister should be able to fire the Governor of the Bank of England.”

“It is extraordinary to me that he or she can’t.”

New Brexit checks to cost UK business £330m a year

Sunday 1 October 2023 18:30 , Lydia Patrick

New post-Brexit border checks set to come into force in 2024 will cost UK companies at least £330m a year, Rishi Sunak’s government has admitted.

Additional red tape on food, animal and plant products imported from the EU had been due to be phased in from October – but was pushed back amid fears the extra costs will add to inflation.

A Tory Cabinet Office minister revealed the expected annual cost in an answer to a senior Labour MP, following warnings from industry it will push up prices and drive some small firms out of business.

Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe said: “It will depend greatly on how businesses adapt their business models and supply chains to integrate the new controls regimes.”

“We estimate these new costs of the model at £330mn p.a [per annum] overall, across all EU imports,” she wrote in the letter to Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe.

Read the full story by Adam Forrest here

New Brexit checks to cost UK business £330m a year

Tory Mayor says Liz Truss should stay away

Sunday 1 October 2023 18:23 , Lydia Patrick

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has hit out at a group of MPs, including Liz Truss, who have reportedly vowed not to vote for the Chancellor’s autumn statement if it contains any tax raises.

Ms Truss is set to appear at a fringe event in Manchester on Monday, dubbed the Great British Growth Rally, where she will call for tax cuts alongside former ministers including Priti Patel and Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Lord Houchen said he was “disappointed” that Ms Truss had decided to attend conference, saying she should have stayed away as Rishi Sunak did when she was prime minister.

He said: “I thought Liz Truss would have more awareness than to, for example, come to Conservative Party Conference. I don’t think she should be here.”

He said: “I think it’s unhelpful because, for me, I just saw that as political posturing because, to be frank, I don’t see a way in which the Chancellor and this Government are raising taxes in the autumn. I just don’t see how that happens.”

He added: “You get your nice shiny letter in the paper, you get yourself a bit of coverage on the day of conference.

“It doesn’t actually mean anything because you’re not really influencing policy, but what you have done is you’ve just set up another 24 hours of narrative of a group of Conservative MPs are not happy and they are telling the Prime Minister to do A, B and C.

“And that’s the problem, it’s the infighting that’s really about personalities than it is about policy and that’s why I just thought it’s just frustrating to see.

“And the more that happens, the more people will look at this Government and look at the Conservative Party as a whole and ask the question, is this a government and a party that’s talking to me and is this a party I want to vote for or is it too busy fighting amongst themselves rather than delivering for the British public.”

‘Keep option open’ to quit ECHR, says Gove in fresh Tory clash

Sunday 1 October 2023 18:12 , Lydia Patrick

Michael Gove had cranked up the pressure on Rishi Sunak on the next step of small boats policy by backing the “option” of quitting the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

At a discussion on the future of conservatism for the Onward think tank at the Tory conference, Mr Gove said they should “keep every option open” when asked about business secretary Kemi Badenoch saying the move has to be “on the table”.

But Mr Gove clashed with senior Tory moderate Tom Tugendhat – Mr Sunak’s security minister – who rejected withdrawal and suggested it would spark fresh post-Brexit problems with the EU.

Speaking alongside Gove at the Onward event, Mr Tugendhat said: “I’m always open to ideas – I’d like to know the answers which go along with them … What happens to the Good Friday Agreement?”

Embarrassment as Tory ministers face empty seats

Sunday 1 October 2023 17:55 , Lydia Patrick

Lots of people have picked up on the fact that very few Conservative members attended speeches by Grant Shapps, James Cleverly and other ministers in the main conference hall today.

Senior Tories were forced to fill front rows with their own aides so the cameras have applauding audience members to cut to. To be fair, the fringe events – at which star Tories such as Michael Gove have been able to speak more freely – have been full.

Adam Forrest reports live from the conference

Coffey goes cold on Gove’s plan to rip up pollution rules

Sunday 1 October 2023 17:45 , Lydia Patrick

Another intriguing division in Tory ranks? Levelling up secretary Michael Gove told Tory conference delegates he wants to bring back a plan to axe river pollution rules to boost housebuilding “at the first available opportunity”.But the environment secretary Therese Coffey – appearing at an event with the National Trust – does not sound very keen. Asked if she was looking forward to taking the “nutrient neutrality” move back to parliament, she said: “It’s Michael [Gove]’s bill not mine. If it happens.”

Mark Harper, the transport secretary, was asked about the future of HS2 at a Rail Industry Association fringe event.

Sunday 1 October 2023 17:39 , Lydia Patrick

Would he end the speculation by clarifying government policy?

"I'm afraid you're not going to get a terribly different answer because it was only yesterday that your colleagues asked me the same question," he said.

"We have started delivering HS2: spades and very many other pieces of large construction equipment are in the ground ... we're getting on with that at pace."

Pushed, he added: "All of the speculation, and it is speculation, I'm not going to comment on it. It's not my job to be a commentator on these things. If governemnt has things to say about this we'll say them in due course in the usual way.

"I've heard what the industry wants us to do, I've heard that very clearly. But you can ask me that question in lots of different ways and I'll give the same answer."

Live reporting from Jon Stone

Tory candidate Susan Hall says ‘I’ll be first female Labour mayor’

Sunday 1 October 2023 17:30 , Lydia Patrick

Susan Hall promised to be the first “female Labour mayor” of London in a slip of the tongue at the Conservative Party Conference.

The Tory candidate gave an upbeat speech about her chances of defeating Sadiq Khan in next year’s election, but ended her remarks with a gaffe.

She said: “In 213 days’ time, (Khan) can do whatever he likes, because I will be sitting at my desk in City Hall as your first female Labour – not, not Labour, never Labour – your first, female, London mayor.”

Polling suggests Ms Hall is only narrowly behind Mr Khan, and Conservatives in City Hall are optimistic about their chances when the election comes in May.

Ms Hall used her speech at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event to promise that she would scrap the expansion of London’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) and “get to grips with crime” on day one if she won the election.

She said Mr Khan “doesn’t care” about crime, promising to put £200 million into policing and saying: “We have got to get more bobbies on the beat.”

The Harrow councillor accused the mayor of failing on housing and nightlife, and claimed low traffic neighbourhoods were causing “nothing but a backlog of traffic”.

Cleverly tells UK’s ambassadors to do ‘even more’ to help stop smuggling gangs

Sunday 1 October 2023 17:15 , Lydia Patrick

Ambassadors and high commissioners have been instructed to do “even more” to help tackle the “abhorrent trafficking” of human lives across the English Channel, the Foreign Secretary has said.

James Cleverly told party members at the Tory conference in Manchester he personally wrote to senior diplomats and instructed “each and every one of them” to step up to the plate to stop people smuggling.

It comes as nine boats have been intercepted carrying a total of 537 migrants crossing the English Channel on Saturday, according to the latest Home Office figures.

The crossings bring the total for the year to 24,830, which is down on last year’s figures which by this time in 2022 had reached 33,001.

But the numbers are still up on 2021, when 17,085 had made the dangerous crossing by September 30, and it was 7,000 by the same point in 2020.

Speaking from the main stage of the Manchester Central Convention Complex, the Foreign Secretary said when it comes to stopping the boats, ministers will have to continue to co-operate “not just across Government, but with our international allies as well”.

He went on: “We have collaborated closely with the governments of the countries where these inhumane people-smuggling gangs are based.

“But I recognise that we need to keep going and so, today, I’ve written to all of our ambassadors, all of our high commissioners, and I’ve instructed each and every one of them to do even more work with the countries in which they represent the UK to help stop the abhorrent trafficking of human lives across the English Channel.”

Tory mayor says he would not bet on party winning next election

Sunday 1 October 2023 17:00 , Lydia Patrick

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has said he would not bet on the Conservatives winning the next election.

Lord Houchen, who received a peerage in former prime minister Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list, told an event on the fringe of the Conservative Party Conference that the party “can” win the general election, but still had more to do.

Asked whether he would bet on a Tory victory, he said: “Not at the moment, because we need to do more to give those people (who voted Conservative in 2019) the excuse.

“Just look back. This is not complex, politics is not complex. We’ve had three prime ministers in 12, 15 months. It doesn’t matter whether you like the Conservative Party or not, people are not going to get behind a party that has gone through the last 12 or 15 months.”

He added that, having “calmed things down”, the Prime Minister now had to set out his own agenda “before Christmas” to show 2019 Tory supporters why they should vote for the party again.

Lord Houchen also criticised a group of between 20 and 40 Conservative MPs for focusing on infighting, suggesting they had “given up” on winning the election.

I apologised to Boris for leadership ‘knifing’, says Gove

Sunday 1 October 2023 16:45 , Lydia Patrick

Michael Gove has said he apologised “a long time ago” to Boris Johnson after the pair fell out when Gove ran for the leadership. Asked whether he had said sorry for “knifing” Johnson, Gove told GB News: “I think a long time ago, yes.”

Gove said Johnson had “massive gifts” but “made some mistakes”, adding: “I had the opportunity to talk to him at a social event a wee while ago – but he’s now a private citizen, so that’s a private conversation.”

Adam Forrest reports

Pressure on Sunak as his own former levelling up minister calls for HS2 to be finished in full

Sunday 1 October 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure from northern Tories over HS2, as both his former levelling up minister and ex-Tory chairman joined calls for the northern leg to be built in full.

Dehenna Davison and Jake Berry called for the PM to “crack on” with the Birmingham to Manchester route, after The Independent revealed that Mr Sunak and his chancellor Jeremy Hunt were in talks to axe phase 2.

Adam Forrest and Archie Mitchell report:

Pressure on Rishi Sunak as ex-levelling up minister calls for HS2 in full

Shapps announces £4bn of contracts with British firms for Royal Navy

Sunday 1 October 2023 16:05 , Matt Mathers

The defence secretary has announced £4 billion of contracts with British firms to develop the “most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy”.

Speaking on the main stage of the Tory conference in Manchester, Grant Shapps said: “Today, I can announce that we’ve signed contracts worth £4 billion with leading British businesses to drive forward the development of the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.”

Mr Shapps said “these hunter-killer Aukus submarines will empower the Royal Navy to maintain our strategic advantage under the sea”, and will support “thousands of jobs”.

On the UK’s “leading role” in Nato, he also said: “I can announce the UK has stepped up again with two deployments. First in response to requests from our Polish friends, RAF Typhoons are landing in Poland as I speak to support our Nato ally with the greater threat of Russian interference.

“I authorised the full deployment of a battalion-size UK strategic reservists to Nato’s Kosovo peacekeeping mission.

“In the days ahead, hundreds of soldiers from the 1st battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment will join 400 British servicemen and women already in Kosovo.”

Tory chairman Greg Hands: ‘We are the underdogs’

Sunday 1 October 2023 15:50 , Matt Mathers

The chairman of the Conservatives has said the party will be the “underdogs” going into the next election, Archie Mitchell reports.

Greg Hands said MPs and activists will have had “difficult conversations” on the doorstep in recent years, “I certainly have”.

But he said “every single conversation” has been improved by the mention of Rishi Sunak, while there is “no enthusiasm for Keir Starmer”.

Addressing conference attendees, he said: “By working together, as a great Conservative family, we can ensure victory in 2024.”

Watch: Tories cheer Nicola Sturgeon's removal from office at party conference

Sunday 1 October 2023 15:35 , Matt Mathers

Gove not in favour of four-day working week as he dodges question on Tories’ electoral prospects

Sunday 1 October 2023 15:20 , Matt Mathers

Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, has been speaking at a fringe event. Jon Stone reports:

Speaking after news the government will move to ban councils from trialling a four day week, Michael Gove tells CPS fringe at Tory conference in Manchester:

"I think there is a challenge here. People are working incredibly hard in order to make ends meet at the moment.

"For people in the public sector to say ‘do you know what I’m just going to give you 80 per cent of the service that we used to’ is wrong. Linked to that some of the arguments ... that have been adduced in favour of a four day week don’t stack up.

"More broadly, are they in Singapore, in South Korea, Israel, Texas, saying you know what, we should be working less hard?"

Asked about the chances of a Tory victory at the next general election, Michael Gove tells a Centre for Policy Studies fringe event at Conservative conference in Manchester:

"I’m not very good at predictions. I once wrote a book called Michael Portillo: The Future of The Right. If I’d called it Michael Portillo The Future of Tea-time Tlevision I would have been more accurate."

Tory rising star predicts Conservative defeat

Sunday 1 October 2023 15:07 , Matt Mathers

A Tory rising star has predicted the Conservatives will lose the next general election, Archie Mitchell reports.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said he would not bet on the party "at the moment" but said a win for the party is "still possible".

Asked whether he would take the bet, Lord Houchen told Sky News: "Not at the moment. We need to do more to give people the excuse to vote Conservative."

Greg Hands brandishes flip flops while attacking Starmer

Sunday 1 October 2023 14:55 , Matt Mathers

Greg Hands brandished a pair of flip flops during his speech at the conference as he attacked Sir Keir Starmer over his policy U-turns.

The Conservative Party chair claimed the Labour leader says “anything that suits him” at that particular time.

“I’ve always thought that the best leaders wake up each morning and ask themselves, ‘What am I going to do today,’” he told the conference.

“Some leaders ask themselves, ‘What am I going to say today?’ Sir Keir wakes up and asks himself, ‘What am I going to believe today?’”

Watch the clip below:

Gove: Sunak will say more about HS2 in ‘due course'

Sunday 1 October 2023 14:40 , Matt Mathers

Michael Gove tells a Centre for Policy Studies fringe meeting at Tory conference in Manchester that Rishi Sunak will say more about HS2 "in due course", Jon Stone reports.

"Everyone wants to know what’s going to happen with HS2," he says, adding: "The prime minister and the rest of us will say more in due course."

He adds that "every transport project has to be scrutinised for value for money".

"If you’re thinking about transport overall yes, north-south links are important, but so are east-west, and so are transport links within regions.

"One of the weaknesses Leeds has is that it’s the largest city in Europe without an effective metro system ... that’s probably the single most important thing you could do to connect the different enterprises within Leeds."

More infighting: Tory mayor ‘disappointed’ Truss showed up

Sunday 1 October 2023 14:25 , Matt Mathers

Influential Tory mayor Ben Houchen has said he is “disappointed” that Liz Truss has decided to come to the Tory conference, Adam Forrest reports.

The Tees Valley mayor told a conference fringe event hosted by think tank Onward: “I thought Liz Truss would have more awareness than to, for example, come to Conservative Party conference. I don’t think she should be here.”

Truss is leading calls by some Tory MPs for tax cuts ahead of the next general election - something Mr Sunak refused to commit to earlier this morning.

Conference underway

Sunday 1 October 2023 14:08 , Matt Mathers

The Tory Party conference in Manchester got underway earlier this morning with an LGBTQ+ networking brunch at 11am.

There was a debate about wind and solar power organised by the Conservative Environment Network at midday.

Greg Hands, the chair of the party, is now addressing the main stage. You can watch his speech by following the link below.

Watch live: Conservative Party conference 2023 gets underway in Manchester

Priti Patel says Braverman’s US speech was for ‘attention'

Sunday 1 October 2023 13:50 , Alexander Butler

Back Rishi or ‘shut up’, Liz Truss told

Sunday 1 October 2023 13:40 , Alexander Butler

Tory grandees have launched an extraordinary attack on former prime minister Liz Truss amid fears her appearance at their party conference will undermine Rishi Sunak’s electoral prospects, Archie Mitchell and Kate Devlin report.

One said their ex-party leader should back the prime minister or “shut up”, adding she had “zero credibility”. Former minister Sir Alan Duncan told The Independent: “Liz Truss should back the prime minister or shut up.

“She has zero credibility and making unhelpful speeches is no way for a former prime minister to behave”.

Asked about Ms Truss, the former chancellor Lord Hammond said: “I definitely think that people who have done their stint and moved on should not use the conference to disrupt.”

Another Tory grandee said for Ms Truss “as a former prime minister to take the stage advocating a different agenda (to Mr Sunak) is total and utter disgrace. How dare she? The tragedy is there is even one member of parliament thinks she is worth listening to”.

Nadine Dorries: out to cause trouble in Manchester?

Sunday 1 October 2023 13:30 , Archie Mitchell

The staunch Boris Johnson loyalist was not expected at the Tory conference - but she has revealed she is heading to Manchester after all, Archie Mitchell reports.

Dorries also shared a Opinium poll showing voters think Boris Johnson was a better PM than any other Tory leader since 2010. And she had a go at No 10 for “blocking” Iceland boss Richard Walker from standing as a Tory candidate.

Senior Tory MPs: Time to ‘crack on’ with HS2

Sunday 1 October 2023 13:15 , Alexander Butler

Two senior Tories have piled pressure on Rishi Sunak to “crack on” and deliver HS2 in full.

Former party chairman Jake Berry and ex-levelling up minister Dehenna Davison said the Manchester to Birmingham section of the high speed rail line “really matters” to people in the north.

And, following weeks of speculation after The Independent revealed Mr Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are planning to scrap the northern leg, Mr Berry and Ms Davison have urged the PM to deliver the project in full.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Berry said scrapping phase two of HS2 is “not the right move for the north of the country”.

And he said “allowing speculation to go unchecked”, as Mr Sunak repeatedly stonewalls questions about the railway, “does seem unfortunate”.

Fellow backbencher Ms Davison, who resigned last month because of “debilitating” migraines, said “it’s right we crack on and do it”.

She added: “My view is that it should be the toughest bit first, you do the northern bit first.

“So obviously we’re not quite sure fully what decision has been made yet, but I certainly hope it’s the right one and that the northern section is actually prioritised.”

If your majority is less than 8,000, look for another job’ Tory MPs warned

Sunday 1 October 2023 13:05 , Alexander Butler

Tory MPs have been warned to “look for another job” if their majorities are less than 8,000, Archie Mitchell and Matt Mathers report.

Political strategist Frank Luntz said some Conservative MPs will be shocked on election day at the scale of the backlash against them.

The veteran Republican pollster said that while opposition to the Tories is fierce, Labour “has completely and utterly failed to give the alternative”.

But, in a stark warning to the Conservatives on day one of their party conference, he said: “I would say that if your majority is less than 8000, you might want to look for another job.

"I think there are going to be some MPs that are going to be shocked on Election Day because the vote against them could be so high.”

Sajid Javid, the former health secretary, Dominic Raab, the ex-justice secretary and Ben Wallace, the recently departed defence secretary, have already called it a day as their party struggles in the polls.

Mr Sharma and Mr Raab, who resigned from his cabinet position following a slew of bullying allegations which he denied, would have been defending majorities of fewer than 5,000 votes at the next national poll.

The map below shows all the MPs - including Conservatives - who have announced their resignations and the size of their majorities.

Hunt hints at autumn 2024 election

Sunday 1 October 2023 12:50 , Matt Mathers

Jeremy Hunt was caught giving a hint to Tory activists that No 10 will call a general election when inflation has fallen below 3 per cent, Adam Forrest reports.

A “secret recording” reported by the Sunday Times revealed that the chancellor told them: “The Bank of England says this time next year it will be three per cent.

“So I think the electorate will have a very strong sense of a party that has taken the tough difficult decisions to deal with our most pressing problem.”

Elton John part of ‘pampered elite’, says Braverman

Sunday 1 October 2023 12:35 , Matt Mathers

Suella Braverman has fired back at Elton John after he criticised her call for a crackdown on the global LGBT+ community from claiming asylum, Adam Forrest reports.

The home secretary said he was a “great songwriter” but part of the “out of touch pampered elite”.

She told the Mail on Sunday she would ignore “a virtue-signalling, elitist view from Hollywood Central”.

Suella Braverman is ‘drawing dividing lines to get attention’, says Priti Patel

Sunday 1 October 2023 12:14 , Matt Mathers

Dame Priti Patel has described Suella Braverman’s controversial immigration speech as an attempt to draw “dividing lines” and “get attention” ahead of the next general election, Archie Mitchell reports.

The former home secretary accused her successor of making “interventions” that are not “a substitute for delivery”.

And Ms Patel warned ministers the public are “sick” or hearing about issues such as illegal immigration and the government’s “failure to deliver”.

“I think it’s right that everyone puts shoulder to the wheel and cracks on and does the work,” she added.

Her comments came after Ms Braverman faced a furious backlash for a speech in the US on immigration in which she claimed that fearing persecution over being gay or a woman is not enough to claim asylum.

Operation Swooping Eagle: Tories ‘to spy on ministers’

Sunday 1 October 2023 11:56 , Matt Mathers

The Conservatives will be sending “spies” to cabinet ministers’ speaking events to monitor any hint of leadership ambitions - including Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman - according to the Mail on Sunday.

Codenamed Operation Swooping Eagle, a party insider said it was to stop the leadership being “blindsided” by those on manoeuvres.

Badenoch and Braverman, both of whom have previously stood for the leadership, are viewed by some as potential successors to Rishi Sunak should the prime minister lose the next election.

PM: Shapps announcement on Ukraine not for ‘here and now’

Sunday 1 October 2023 11:40 , Matt Mathers

Defence secretary Grant Shapps’s suggestion that British troops could train forces in Ukraine is not for the “here and now”, Rishi Sunak has said.

During a visit to Burnley, the prime minister told broadcasters: “I think there’s been some misreporting about this.”

He said British troops have been training Ukrainians in the UK, adding: “What the defence secretary was saying was that it might well be possible one day in the future for us to do some of that training in Ukraine.

“But that’s something for the long-term, not the here and now, there are no British soldiers that will be sent to fight in the current conflict. That’s not what’s happening.

“What we are doing is training Ukrainians. We’re doing that here in the UK. It’s something that everyone should be proud of, because it’s making an enormous difference. The Ukrainians are very grateful for it. And it’s something that lots of other countries have joined us in doing.”

Sunday 1 October 2023 11:25 , Matt Mathers

Michael Gove has praised HS2 as a “good idea” but warned the government had to ensure it was getting the “biggest bang for our buck” from all major investment projects, Kate Devlin reports.

He also told Times Radio "let’s wait and see" on the future of the high speed rail link north of Manchester, after The Independent revealed the prime minister was in talks to scrap it.

The levelling up secretary said:  "Let’s wait and see. And I think the critical thing is we’re already seeing significant infrastructure investment across the north. We’ve devoted billions of pounds already to improving transport links in the north of England."

"It [HS2] is a good idea. That’s why we’re still working hard and there are spades in the ground. As the Prime Minister pointed out earlier today, constructing the project. However, we also have to look at value for money. When HS2 was first conceived, the costs were significantly lower than they’ve subsequently turned out to be. And we have to look at every project in order to make sure that we’re getting the biggest bang for our buck".

'Rich’ Rishi Sunak shown wordcloud of how voters view him

Sunday 1 October 2023 11:06 , Matt Mathers

The prime minister was confronted on Sunday morning with a word cloud summing up voters’ impressions of him, Archie Mitchell reports.

The biggest word by far was “rich”, with “rich people,” “the rich”, “money” and “wealth” all appearing prominently.

Rishi Sunak, who is often criticised over his wealth, was asked how he felt about the wordcloud.

“My job is to deliver to people,” he said.

Former investment banker Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, the daughter of an Indian tech billionaire, are worth £730m.

Rishi Sunak refuses again to commit to HS2’s northern leg

Sunday 1 October 2023 10:35 , Matt Mathers

The prime minister has refused again to clarify whether HS2 will reach Manchester, after The Independent revealed he is in talks with the chancellor about stopping the high speed rail line in Birmingham.

Rishi Sunak was asked repeatedly on Sunday morning whether phase two of the project would go ahead, and described this publication’s reporting as “speculation”.

“We have a project, we have spades in the ground and are getting on with it,” he said.

But, asked specifically whether the Birmingham to Manchester section will be built, the prime minister told the BBC: “I am not going to comment on further speculation.”

Watch a clip from the interview here:

Suella Braverman’s immigration plans are ‘absolutely wrong’, Rwandan ambassador claims

Sunday 1 October 2023 10:20 , Matt Mathers

The Rwandan ambassador has lashed out at Suella Braverman’s immigration plans, describing the British government’s position as “absolutely wrong”.

Johnston Busingye, high commissioner of Rwanda, is supportive of British proposals to send asylum seekers to his country, but called for the UK to address the wider causes of immigration.

Archie Mitchell reports:

Suella Braverman’s immigration plans are absolutely wrong’, Rwandan ambassador claims

Pinned post: ‘Of course I want to cut taxes’, but cutting inflation is priority, says Sunak

Sunday 1 October 2023 10:05 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak refused to commit to tax cuts before the next election, claiming “halving inflation is the best tax cut I can deliver”, Archie Mitchell reports.

The prime minister defied calls from backbench MPs and his levelling up secretary Michael Gove, who this morning called for tax cuts in the next year.

Mr Sunak told the BBC: “I am a Conservative, of course I want to cut taxes.”

But the PM did not say taxes would be lowered before a general election expected next year.

Mr Sunak added: “The best tax cut that I can deliver for the British people right now is to halve inflation.

“Inflation is a tax that impacts the poorest people the most. That is why I set it out as a first priority.”

Michael Gove: HS2 part of ‘rich mixture’, but you ‘don’t bake a cake with one ingredient’

Sunday 1 October 2023 09:49 , Matt Mathers

Michael Gove refused to commit the government to building HS2 in full, insisting it is part of a “rich mixture” of levelling up measures, Archie Mitchell reports.

Amid intense speculation the Birmingham to Manchester segment of the high speed rail line is going to be cut, as first revealed by The Independent, the levelling up secretary said he is a “supporter of good transport links for the north”.

But he said levelling up is “about more than one project” and said ministers needed to help boost transport links between and within northern town and cities.

Mr Gove told Sky News: “Levelling up is about more than one project.

“What we need to do in order to level up is to invest in cities, but also in towns as we are doing.

“For example, everything from strengthening our universities through additional spending on research and development through the enterprise zones that we’ve created, all of these come together in a rich mixture, which enables levelling up.

“You don’t bake a cake with only one ingredient.”

Michael Gove: Cut taxes on work before the next election

Sunday 1 October 2023 09:30 , Matt Mathers

Michael Gove has called for tax cuts before the next general election, expected next year, Archie Mitchell reports.

The levelling up secretary said he wants ministers to “cut taxes on work”, which would include income tax and national insurance reductions.

He told Sky News: “We should cut taxes on work. We should incentivize people to work harder and we should make sure that they are better rewarded for the enterprise, the effort and the endeavour that they put in.

“I would like to see the tax burden reduced before the next election.”

But Mr Gove said the government is “concentrating firstly on dealing with inflation”, as that is “the biggest tax cut there is”.

Mr Gove also pushed back against a suggestion that his party’s claim to be low tax was a “fantasy”. Watch the clip below.

Sunak unveils list of 55 ‘overlooked’ towns receiving £20m each for 10-year plan

Sunday 1 October 2023 09:15 , Matt Mathers

More than 50 “overlooked” UK towns will each be given £20 million over a 10-year period to help regenerate high streets and tackle anti-social behaviour.

The prime minister said the new long-term vision for towns, backed by £1 billion of investment, was about putting “funding in the hands of local people” to improve their communities.

Patrick Daly reports:

Sunak unveils list of 55 ‘overlooked’ towns receiving £20m each for 10-year plan

Nervous Tories implore PM to ‘ignore populist insanity’ and keep slim election hopes alive

Sunday 1 October 2023 09:00 , Matt Mathers

Anxious Conservative MPs have urged Rishi Sunak to deliver a vision – and avoid a catastrophe – at their party conference as they increasingly eye a narrow path to avoid electoral humiliation, write Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest.

This weekend will see the starting gun fired on the race for power at next year’s general election. But Mr Sunak risks being knocked off course by what is shaping up to be an almighty battle between the right of his party and the more moderates – urging him to ignore their “populist insanity”.

Full report:

Tories implore PM to ‘ignore populist insanity’ and keep election hopes alive

Analysis: Will Sunak convince the public he’s the man to fix the UK’s problems?

Sunday 1 October 2023 08:40 , Matt Mathers

It was not supposed to be like this, writes Kate Devlin, from the Tory Party conference in Manchester.

His last party conference before the election should be Rishi Sunak’s chance to convince voters to give the Conservatives another shot at government.

Instead, he has arrived in Manchester under pressure from his own party - over tax, immigration and, of course, HS2.

The prime minister has been working on his conference speech for months.

His message will be an appeal to the public that he is the person to fix the long-term problems the country faces.

But with problems within his own party appearing to come home to roost, will that call be heard?

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website