‘Head of deckchairs on the Titanic’: Tory leadership hopefuls head to low-key conference

Tom Tugendhat at a leadership campaign event earlier this month. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

On Tuesday, from a conference stage in Birmingham, four candidates will make their pitches to lead the Conservative party. Their immediate challenge after the Tory rout this summer will be to reinvigorate a hugely demoralised set of MPs and members.

Starting on Sunday, the annual gathering of the Tory faithful – the first in 14 years to be held from opposition – is expected to be a low-key affair. The evening schedule, ordinarily packed with corporate receptions, is sparse.