Live
Politics

The most awkward, embarrassing and controversial moments from the Tory party conference

The most awkward, embarrassing and controversial moments from the Tory party conference
Priti Patel dances with Nigel Farage at Conservative Party conference
Emily Hewertson

Rishi Sunak would have known this year’s Conservative Party conference was going to be tough, as his first, and most likely last, before the next general election.

But he couldn’t have expected that it would be totally overwhelmed by a single, (money)burning issue.

Yes, HS2 is the acronym on everyone’s lips, and pundits and politicians alike are spitting with fury at the prospect of seeing the rail line’s northern leg scrapped.

Still, as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister to confirm his plans for the ill-fated project, his colleagues have done their best – or, more accurately, worst – to distract from the fallout.

From a fabricated “meat tax” to the obligatory “Tories on tour” scenes, indy100 will keep you updated on all the most excruciating moments from the Manchester event, and what commentators are making of it all.

More queues to see a former PM – this time Theresa, not Truss

30p Lee keeping things classy

Imagine how it feels to be told Liz Truss is more popular than you are...

Shockingly, the conference isn't doing the Tories any favours in the polls

At least some people are giving the conference a ringing endorsement

Talk about embarrassing moments, someone bought a signed copy of Nadine Dorries's book for £600

Who needs photoshop when you can just herd to make yourself look better?

This may be the only video montage you need to see this week

And a useful summary of today's agenda here

This handy little thread gathers together some real high/lowlights (depending on your political leanings)

Kemi Badenoch's claim that Britain is the "best country in the world to be Black" has caused some understandable controversy

Read more here

The immigration debate never fails to generate the classiest arguments from the classiest people

Patel clearly wasn't in the mood for confrontation after a heavy night

Tory MP Danny Kruger making Suella Braverman proud with this tasteful point

Sunak throwing in more diversions than a Sunday morning rail service

Just as Sunak juggles with the HS2 furore, an old nemesis rears its ugly head: Covid

Naturally, Labour wasn't going to let him get away with that one

Speaking of irony...

In a painful twist of irony, a social mobility charity had to cancel an event this morning for accessibility reasons...

It's no wonder people are drawing this conclusion

And the night clearly went on and on...

And even later in the day, this happened...

Later in the day, Net Zero secretary Claire Coutinho started some unnecessary beef with Labour

Sky News

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho said she wanted to add a "light moment" in her speech as she referenced the 'meat tax' - which, in fact, doesn't exist.

Coutinho sat down with journalist Sophy Ridge on Sky News' Politics Hub, where she was quizzed on a part of her Conservative Party conference speech "that really struck" Ridge.

"'It's no wonder Labour seem so relaxed about taxing meat," Coutinho said in her speech. "Sir Keir Starmer doesn't eat it and Ed Miliband is clearly scarred by his encounter with the bacon sandwich".

Ridge asked: "You didn't write that, did you?"

Read more...

And here's what 'The Rest is Politics' host Alastair Campbell made of the whole thing

Truss's speech went down like a 49-day-old lettuce leaf in some quarters

Buzzy Lizzy

Sure, a wilting lettuce lasted longer than Liz Truss's premiership, but there's been a notable buzz around Sunak's predecessor.

She was greeted by lengthy queues yesterday as she delivered a speech calling for tax cuts to “make Britain grow again”.

And here's a taste of the calibre of attendees.


Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The Conversation (0)