All dressed up and no place to go. By lunchtime there were a few hundred people at a loose end inside the Birmingham conference centre. Workmen were still putting the finishing touches to the exhibit stands. There was no rush. Most Tories have wisely decided to give this year’s conference a swerve. No point in depressing yourself unduly. Better to put your feet up at home.
Then, for those who had made the effort, there was precious little to do. Whether it was just to contain the damage or a realisation there was little demand, the schedule for the main hall has been limited to just two hours a day. In the graveyard slot of 4-6pm. And even that feels too long.
