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Evening Standard

World

Sian Hewitt

Conservative Party conference 2023: what is in Rishi Sunak’s speech?

the Conservative Party Conservative Party Conference

The Conservative Party began its annual conference on Sunday, with members of the party, the press and lobbying organisations in attendance to hear speeches from key ministers and policy announcements, as well as network and take part in fringe events on a range of subjects.

The event takes place during the party conference season, when the House of Commons is in recess, and with train strikes on Sunday and Wednesday.

Home secretary Suella Braverman delivered a speech on Tuesday that won a standing ovation in which she said a “hurricane” of migrants was threatening to enter the country. However, it was met with plenty of criticism. Braverman also claimed migration into the UK would become “uncontrolled and unmanageable” without the Tories in government, and that the party had been “far too squeamish about being smeared as racist to properly bring order to the chaos” affecting migration to the UK.

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said the speech was “a hurricane of drivel from the Home Secretary”, adding it was “racism and lies in equal measure”.

Meanwhile, the speech from the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, outlined some key changes. The first is that the national living wage is likely to be raised above £11 an hour. Next, he said that he wants to introduce further sanctions on those who are on benefits and show little inclination to look for work. The third new measure is a freeze on civil service hiring.

The conference slogan is “long-term decisions for a brighter future”. Insiders said it was chosen to show Rishi Sunak’s willingness to confront difficult truths and do things that risk making him less popular. Sources said it was Margaret Thatcher’s address at the 1982 party conference that Sunak wanted to channel, a speech that railed against “false promises”.

The prime minister axed the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the HS2 high-speed rail project in his speech to conference on Wednesday afternoon and has lately begun championing a pro-car agenda.

Here is everything you need to know about the event.

When is the 2023 Conservative Party Conference?

The conference is a four-day event that takes place from Sunday October 1 to Wednesday October 4.

Conservative Party members were charged £132 for early-bird tickets but, after August 1, prices rose to £242.

Members of the press, young Conservatives, charities and exhibitors were also expected to pay.

Where is the 2023 Conservative Party Conference taking place?

The event is being held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

What is on the agenda for the Conservative Party Conference 2023?

A host of speeches were made by a range of ministers at the event, as happens each year.

The conference began at midday on Sunday October 1 and concludes after the prime minister’s speech at midday on Wednesday, October 4.

Highlights included How do we put an end to greenwashing? at the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum on Sunday October 1; Not your average voter? How women will shape the next general election at the Thatcher Theatre on Monday October 2; and Safer surfing: reducing cyber crime at the Churchill Theatre on Tuesday October 3.

Events were split between the main stage and the fringe. You can find the full agenda here.

When is Rishi Sunak’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference?

Rishi Sunak’s speech began shortly after noon on Wednesday October 4 and is his chance to set out his long-term vision for the country.

Last week, the prime minister tweeted: “After nearly a year as prime minister, I’ve learnt that the political system incentivises the easy decision, not always the right one. At Conservative Party conference this week, we’ll show that can change. And we’ll do it by taking long-term decisions for a brighter future.”