The Tories are planning a huge change to speeches at party conference (original) (raw)

The main hall at Tory conference is usually a grey and dull sequence of ministerial speeches and panel discussions - but party chiefs are considering allowing rank-and-file members to make speeches on policy debates

The usual line up of speeches is getting shaken up

The Tories are considering letting party members make speeches from the main stage at their party conference, as they completely revamp their usual plans for the annual get-together.

The party had already confirmed acting-leader Rishi Sunak wouldn’t be making a speech. And it’s been reported he plans to do a runner from the conference after a few hours on the first day.

The ex-PM make way for a “beauty parade” of the final four candidates in the race to replace him. Meanwhile party bosses are planning a radical change to the conference’s main stage programme.

The Mirror understands plans under consideration include holding policy debates in the main room for the first time, with grassroots party members invited on stage to make speeches. It’s understood local parties have been invited to come up with suggestions for topics of debate.

Debates and motions on matters of party policy are a mainstay of Labour and Lib Dem Conferences - and are part of the process of both parties deciding their positions on matters of importance. But it’s a major change for the Tories, who for decades have restricted the main hall programme to ministerial speeches and panel events.

“They’ve gone mad,” said one Tory source. “They’re going to let anybody get up and make a speech. It’s going to be wild.”

Rishi Sunak will spend just a few hours at the Party conference this year - despite still being leader. The defeated Prime Minister will not deliver a keynote speech at the end, which will see hundreds of die-hard Tories descend on Birmingham for four days. Instead he will let the four MPs slugging it out to replace him take centre stage.

His resignation following the party's General Election mauling sparked a messy race to become leader of the opposition. Earlier this week Dame Priti Patel saw her dream of leading the Tories come to an end when she missed out in the first ballot.

Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is now the frontrunner after securing the backing of 28 MPs. Kemi Badenoch came second with 22, with James Cleverly getting 21. One more candidate will be eliminated next week before the party conference, which will be held between September 29 and October 2. Tom Tugendhat, with 17 votes, and Mel Stride, with 16, are in the most danger of missing out.

Bookmakers' favourite Mr Jenrick has claimed he will be the "change candidate", despite having served in Government under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Mr Sunak. He has vowed to resurrect the Rwanda scheme if he ever makes it to No10, in spite of its eye-watering cost. On the final day, the four remaining MPs will be given 15 minutes to make their case, it is understood.

It is a far cry from last year, when Mr Sunak used his crucial address to cut back HS2 and announce plans to make it illegal for children born after 2009 to ever buy cigarettes.