Robert Jenrick has slammed Liz Truss’ mini-Budget as “careless” and “unconservative” as he said the Tory party must accept its mistakes.
The shadow justice secretary told a packed-out room at the Conservative party conference ex-prime minister Ms Truss made “big mistakes”, adding the party must be “honest” if it is to rebuild public trust.
He added he thought the UK should aim for “net emigration” in order to “give the country some breathing space” in a far-reaching call that goes beyond Reform UK’s Nigel Farage’s policies.
But he dismissed any notion of leadership ambitions, telling his audience Kemi Badenoch would lead the Tories into the next election.
It comes after the shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride addressed a half-empty hall on Monday morning as the conference continued at Manchester Central Convention Centre.
The shadow chancellor pledged to offer young people a £5,000 “first job bonus” as he sought to position the Tories as the party of “fiscal responsibility”.
He also unveiled proposals to slash £47 billion of government spending if the party win power, and promised to abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs.
UK Politics live: Key points
- Tories promise young people a £5,000 ‘first job bonus’
- Reform is the party of ‘more spending and more debt’ Stride tells Tory conference
- What is happening at the Conservative Party conference today?
- Tories promise to abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs
- Comment: End of the Tory story? Why the Conservative Party is slouching towards oblivion
Conservatives 'party of patriotism', Cleverly says
16:05
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
The shadow housing secretary has accused Labour of waving flags “through gritted teeth” at their party conference.
“Conservatives have always been and will always be the party of patriotism,” he says.
He says communities must “adhere” to the “norms and values” of the country to be “successful.
“Multi-ethnic communities - of course yes,” he says.
“But an adherence to the norms and the values and the laws of our country.
“That is how successful, integrated, sustainable communities are built. That is what we should work towards.”
Cleverly: 'Building homes isn't enough - we must cut migration'
15:59
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
James Cleverly is now defending the Conservative’s record on immigration.
“I took action to halve net migration,” he says, telling the conference people are “angry” over migrants receiving social housing.
“This madness has got to stop,” he says.
“Simply building homes isn’t enough - we have got to cut migration”.
Cleverly fails to draw a crowd
15:53
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports...
James Cleverly has failed to draw a crowd for his conference speech, with the shadow housing secretary looking out at a sea of empty seats.
There is a man towards the back of the hall who is actually asleep, which sums up the mood in the room well.
Mr Cleverly has embarked on a rambling attack against Steve Reed, his government counterpart who he accused of being useless.
But even the lines he wants to land are drawing limited applause at best. It’s not a great look for the former future star of the Tory Party.
'I was looking forward to holding Rayner to account,' Cleverly says
15:47
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
James Cleverly has begun by taking a dig at recently resigned housing minister Angela Rayner.
“I was looking forward to holding Angela Rayner to account,” he said.
“I was looking forward to going toe-to-toe with a firebrand of the modern left. Instead I’m up against Steve Reed. Steve ‘I’m not Wikipedia’ Reed.
“No Steve, you’re not Wikipedia - Wikipedia can actually be useful,” he joked.
James Cleverly takes to stage at Conservative party conference
15:44
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir James Cleverly is now addressing the conference.
James Cleverly due to speak shortly
15:35
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Former home secretary and foreign secretary James Cleverly is due to speak at the Tory party conference in around ten minutes.
Tories would repeal Employment Rights Bill and repeal EU-era rules on bank accounts, Griffith says
15:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Conservatives would simplify tax and banking rules for businesses and contractors, the party’s shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith has said.
Mr Griffith told the party’s conference in Manchester the Tories would repeal the Employment Rights Bill, which it has voted against in Parliament, because it would “destroy” job opportunities for young people.
Meanwhile, companies will be able to rate HMRC’s performance.
The Tories will also “look again” at how to reform the IR35 tax system for contractors, and repeal EU-era rules on opening a business bank account.
He said: “There are far too many hurdles for small businesses to jump; red tape that steals away the precious time of those who run them.”
Jenrick heaps praise on Andy Burnham
15:15
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Robert Jenrick has heaped praise on Andy Burnham as an example of when “great people who grip cities can actually drive change”.
“I think we've got to get out of London, get out of a suit, and take up everyday people's issues. And yeah, Andy Burnham does do that bit, so fair dos to him”, he said.
“I want the Tory party to represent people in provincial Britain, to have a message for people in the Midlands, in the north. There’s no future for the party if it doesn't do that.
“And I think there's a lot in Manchester that we should celebrate.
“The night life in Manchester is better than the night life in London… they are building homes, and it's an example of good regional government.”
The shadow justice secretary continued: “It’s an example to us all that politics matters. Great people who grip cities can actually drive change, and we want to see that in other parts of the country as well.”
Recap: Tories to ditch business rates for pubs and shops if they win election
15:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has said the Tories would abolish business rates for pubs and shops if the party wins the next election.
“I can announce that as a direct result of getting public spending under control, a future Conservative government will completely abolish business rates for shops and pubs on our high street,” he said.
He added: "End of. Finished. Gone."
You can read the full story below...
Burnham aims barb at Starmer’s planning reforms
14:45
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports...
Andy Burnham has said Sir Keir Starmer’s planning reforms will not get Britain “anywhere near” fixing the housing crisis.
The Greater Manchester mayor was speaking at an event on the fringe of the Conservative Party conference in the city.
Asked about the impact of the housing crisis, he said: “We've got to break the grip of the housing crisis, in my view, until you do the country's not fully in control of its costs, and it's actually a prudent thing to do, to be honest, to have a major program of building council homes, and to me, chasing things via the planning system or planning reform, I don't think it gets you anywhere near where you need to be.
“It can help with the margins, but it doesn't do the heavy lifting.”
Jenrick dispels leadership ambitions and says he thinks Badenoch will lead Tories into next election
14:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has said he believes Kemi Badenoch will lead the Tories into the next election.
“There was a leadership election and the party made its choice,” he said.
“Kemi is our leader. I am in her shadow cabinet, I wouldn’t have chosen to serve in the shadow cabinet if I didn't believe in Kemi, if I didn't want her to succeed.
“I’m rooting for her and trying to support her in every way that I can. So that is what each and every one of us should be doing right now.”
Asked whether he would rule out a leadership bid if there was a vacancy, Mr Jenrick said: “Well, there isn't a vacancy, and I don't expect that there will be.“My expectation is that Kemi will lead his party into the next general election.”
Jenrick brands plans for pro-Gaza protests on October 7 ‘f***ing disgrace’
14:15
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
Robert Jenrick has branded plans for pro-Gaza protests on October 7 a “f***ing disgrace”.
Speaking at a Spectator event at the Tory party conference in Manchester, he called for people to “show some common decency”.
“This is not Britain,” he said. “Britain is better than that. Think of your fellow citizens, British Jews, people who might be fearful and lonely and afraid right now, and call off those protests.
“If they won't, then I do think we should take action, and if that requires a change in the law, then we should consider doing that, and consider the cumulative impact on communities of these protests.”
Jenrick lets rip at Liz Truss mini budget
14:10
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
“I thought the mini budget was careless, cack handed and unconservative”, Robert Jenrick has said.
“There were big mistakes from that period. We have to be honest about that, and in doing so, we can begin to rebuild the public's trust”, he said.
Shadow business secretary says Labour 'don't understand business'
14:08
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffiths is now addressing the conference.
He says “around the world, people want what we produce,” citing trade policies brought in by the last Conservative government.
“It’s clear that Labour and the other parties simply don’t understand business,” he adds, hitting out at Labour’s tax policies and the introduction of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“The next government will fix this and more,” he continues.
But he says the UK is “no longer the rich country many think we are”.
“Under Labour, Britain is competing in the veterans race,” he says, adding it is only the “private sector” that creates growth.
Jenrick goes further than Farage and calls for net emigration
14:01
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
Robert Jenrick has gone even further than Nigel Farage on migration, calling for “net emigration” to the UK in order to “give the country some breathing space”.
He said he wouldn’t argue for “net zero” migration, like the Reform leader has done, instead calling for net negative migration.
“This era of mass migration has put immense pressure on public services, on housing,” he said.
“90 per cent of the deficit of new homes in this country is a result of mass migration. That's one of the main reasons why young people can't get on the housing ladder, and it's made our country much less united.”
He added: “That's got to change, to give the country breathing space”.
Tory party needs to change and we’ve got to get going, says Jenrick
13:55
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
Robert Jenrick has said the Tory Party needs to change and it has got to “get going” - but steered clear from all out criticism of Kemi Badenoch.
“I think the most important thing that the Conservative Party should do now is to change,” he said.
“We suffered our worst ever election defeat just a year and a bit ago, and if the party is going to have a future, it's going to have to change very profoundly, because there are still millions of people in our country who are angry and frustrated and disillusioned with our party.”
He added: “Unless we show that we've changed, then we are going to be in a difficult place as a party.”
Asked whether he is saying the Tories have not moved fast enough in Badenoch’s first year in office, he said: “I think it's very tough after you've just suffered your worst ever election, because it was never going to be easy.
“We have got a mountain to climb, but we've got to get going. Put our foot on the pedal.”
Analysis: Jenrick makes a subtle dig at Kemi Badenoch over ECHR
13:50
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
While Robert Jenrick has generally been fairly well behaved at Tory conference, keeping his leadership ambitions close to his chest, he couldn’t help but take a subtle dig at Kemi Badenoch over the ECHR just minutes into his sit down with the Spectator at Tory conference.
Asked about Kemi Badenoch’s decision to back withdrawal of the ECHR, the shadow justice secretary said: “I thought Kemi did a great speech yesterday, and I'm delighted that the party has arrived at this position.”
He added: “I've been arguing for it some time”.
Standing room only and queues round the block for Robert Jenrick
13:40
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
Hundreds of party members are queueing around the top floor of the Conservative Party conference centre to see Robert Jenrick speak.
The event is currently maxed out, with standing room only - while other members are now being turned away at the door.
While Jenrick - widely seen to be Kemi Badenoch’s main rival - has been fairly quiet so far this conference, it’s clear that party members still want to hear what he has to say.
Cleverly claims Burnham has highlighted Sadiq Khan’s ‘ineptitude’
13:23
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports...
James Cleverly offered a backhanded compliment to Andy Burnham, claiming that he has “highlighted Sadiq Khan’s ineptitude”.
Praising the Greater Manchester mayor for getting things built and getting on with the job, he said the London mayor is by contrast drastically “off the pace” with infrastructure and housing development.
He said: “Andy Burnham inadvertently has highlighted Khan’s ineptitude. Because Khan turns around and says ‘it’s central government, it’s central government, central government’.
“And it’s like, well, actually, Andy Street was able to get stuff done. Andy Burnham is able to get stuff stuff done. So maybe, just maybe, it's Sadiq Khan that’s the problem.”
PM calls for people not to protest tomorrow and to remember ‘heinous’ October 7 attacks
13:15
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports...
Asked if pro-Palestine protests should take place tomorrow, the PM’s official spokesman said they were going “ahead despite the pleas and fears of the Jewish community…people should demonstrate humanity.
“Just because there is freedom to protest does not mean you should necessarily go ahead.”
He added: “People should remember the heinous attacks on Israel on October 7. That should be at the forefront of our minds tomorrow”.
Watch: Mel Stride gives fiery speech at Tory party conference as he pledges to abolish business rates
13:02
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Farmers protest inside Tory conference
12:43
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Farmers protesting the Labour government have gathered inside the conference as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins gives a speech.
Holding signs saying “Keir Stamer: Farmer Harmer” and “Your countryside Your future,” the group demonstrated against Labour’s changes to inheritance tax that will see inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m taxed at a rate of 20 per cent from April 2026.
Jenrick-led Tory party could merge with Reform UK post-election, top Farage aide says
12:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
A Tory party with Robert Jenrick at the helm could merge with Reform UK after the next election, one of Nigel Farage’s top aides has suggested.
Gawain Towler, who began working for Mr Farage as a UKIP press officer in 2004 and sits on the Reform governing board, said Mr Jenrick and a handful of remaining Tory MPs would abandon the Conservative Party in favour of Reform.
Archie Mitchell has the full story below...
James Cleverly: ‘NIMBY is not an unreasonable position’
12:07
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports...
James Cleverly has backed NIMBYs (not in my backyard) who oppose development and have been blamed for Britain’s housing shortage and creaking transport infrastructure.
The shadow housing secretary said it is not an unreasonable or illogical position to hold and that people are simply “protecting what they have bought”.
He said: “NIMBY is not an illogical position, and it's not even it's not an unreasonable position.
“If you've worked hard… and you've bought something, perhaps you've bought a view. Perhaps you've bought you into living somewhere in green space. Perhaps that's what you you saved up, you worked through your life, and you've moved into your forever home, which was, which was the home you chose because of all these things. And then suddenly someone comes along and fundamentally changes what it is you have bought and paid for, and your perception is you're getting nothing in recompense.
“Saying not in my backyard is an entirely logical position.”
Labour criticise Tory business rates pledge
11:47
,
Athena Stavrou
Labour have hit back at the Conservative Party’s pledge to abolish business rates for shops and pubs.
A Labour spokesperson said the promise made by the shadow chancellor on Monday did not specify how the Tories would fund it.
“Mel Stride’s supposed savings plan has already fallen apart hours after being announced,” Labour said.
“The Conservatives claimed they would state how they’d pay for their policies, yet made a multibillion-pound pledge to abolish business rates without saying how they’d fund it.
“It’s the same old Tories with the same old policies.
“They didn’t work then and you can’t trust them now.”
Tories promise young people a £5,000 ‘first job bonus’
11:27
,
Athena Stavrou
The shadow chancellor has pledged to offer young people a £5,000 “first job bonus”.
Those starting their first full-time position would receive a £5,000 national insurance rebate to put towards buying a home, Sir Mel Stride announced.
“So we will introduce something called the first job bonus,” he said.
“When someone takes their first job, the first £5,000 pounds they pay in national insurance won’t go to the taxman.
“It will go towards a deposit on their first home, or it will go towards savings for their later life.
“For a working couple, that means £10,000 pounds, helping them buy a home, build a family, save for the future.
“That is the Conservative dream, a dream that built my life.”
Shadow energy secretary vows to scrap green pledges
11:16
,
Athena Stavrou
The shadow energy secretary has vowed to scrap a number of green pledges if the Conservatives win power.
Claire Coutinho said a future Tory government would scrap Great British Energy if it wins the next election.
Ms Coutinho told members it was a “vanity project that won’t cut bills” from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
She also said the party would scrap the ban on new oil and gas licences, reverse the energy profits levy and start drilling in the North Sea again.
You know you’re in trouble when Steve Bray doesn’t show up
11:09
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports from Manchester:
It is almost impossible to work in politics without being familiar with the antics of Steve Bray, the die-hard anti-Brexit protester who blasts politically-themed remixes of popular hits outside parliament every Wednesday.
He is not shy to travel either, and is a staple of the Conservative and Labour conferences each year.
But he is nowhere to be seen at the Tory gathering in Manchester, in a sign of just how irrelevant the party has become.
Mr Bray was hard at work singing about Brexit, Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservatives as Labour gathered in Liverpool last week.
It is not just Mr Bray, there are usually scores of different protesters hanging out outside the Tory conference, but none to be seen this year.
A shadow minister lamented to The Independent that “something is missing” this year, adding that even the protesters have not bothered to show up.
Tory baby grows and teddy bears on sale at conference
10:55
,
Athena Stavrou
In between speeches and fringe events, those at the Tory conference may be looking to do some shopping.
Among the merchandise on offer includes some vintage-style Conservative prints, tea towels and “future prime minister” teddy bears and baby grows.
Tories promise to abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs
10:39
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Manchester:
The Conservative Party has promised to abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs if they win the next election, with the shadow chancellor promising to fund the pledge by "getting public spending under control".
Speaking on the main stage of the party conference in Manchester, Sir Mel Stride said: “Under Labour, many have seen their business rates double. We need to get business rates down. In fact, we need to go further – much, much further.
“So, today I can announce that as a direct result of getting public spending under control, a future Conservative government will completely abolish business rates for shops and pubs on our high streets."
“End of. End of, finished, gone", he added.
Stride accuses Reform of 'marching to the left'
10:33
,
Athena Stavrou
The shadow chancellor has accused Reform UK of “marching to the left” as he sought to position the Tories as the party of “fiscal responsibility.
“Reform want to get back to the days of nationalisation and state control. They are marching to the left,” Sir Mel Stride said.
“Be in no doubt they are the party of more spending and more debt.
And when it comes to Reform be assured of this: That when the glitter, the shimmy of the sequin dress, the razzmatazz, the spinning plates, the fireworks have faded you will be left with emptiness. The hollowed out promises that never were.
“But Reform are being found out - and it is this Conservative Party that is holding them to account.”
The Tories will bring taxes down but 'only when it is affordable', says Mel Stride
10:24
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Manchester:
The Conservative Party will bring taxes down but "we will only do so when it is affordable", Mel Stride has said, promising to never make the mistakes Liz Truss made in her mini budget.
"We will bring taxes down. We must. But we will only do so when it is affordable - just as Nigel Lawson did - because we know where the alternative path leads.
"We saw that with a mini budget in 2022. So let me be clear, the Conservative Party will never ever make fiscal commitments without spelling out exactly how they will be paid for.
"We are and will always be the party of fiscal responsibility. Labour have trashed the finances and it will only be the Conservative Party, our Conservative Party, that can be trusted to fix them."
Stride attempts to reassure party members - but there is hardly anyone there to listen
10:20
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Manchester:
Mel Stride is working hard to persuade the party that the Tories can once again be a trustworthy political force - but unfortunately for the shadow chancellor, there is barely anyone there to hear him.
Speaking to a room full of empty seats - with only the front few rows full - he promised a "radical plan to rebuild our economy".
But with so few people in the room, applause is thin, and far from convincing.
Stride unveils welfare cut plans
10:19
,
Athena Stavrou
Mel Stride is now unveiling his plans to cut government spending if the Tories win power.
He said the party would cut welfare spending, including replacing payments to people with “low level” mental health conditions with treatment and barring non-citizens from claiming support.
“We say Labour wants to park you on benefits, we want to help you to a better life,” he said.
“The culture of something for nothing must end now.”
Analysis: Mel Stride attempts to restore trust in Tories with appeal to the past
10:16
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Manchester:
Mel Stride has painted a rose-tinted vision of previous versions of the Conservatives, harking back to Margaret Thatcher as part of an attempt to restore trust in the party.
Speaking on a backdrop of a conference that has Thatcher imagery at every turn, the shadow chancellor spoke about his experience growing up in the UK, saying he had Nigel Lawson – one of the key architects of Thatcherism – “cutting my taxes and removing the red tape”.
He continued: “The whole spirit of that time was one of enterprise and opportunity.
“And later I had in my hand a key to the first home that I owned. That foundation for the rest of my life, for the wife I had yet to meet, for the family I was yet to create.
“That is a conservative vision of opportunity, aspiration and achievement.”
'You name it, they'll tax it', Stride says of Labour
10:15
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Mel Stride has criticised Labour for their tax strategy, which he says the government has “no clue how to build the economy of the future.”
Speaking during his speech at the Tory party conference, he said: “Under Labour nothing is safe from the taxman. Not your job, not your home, not tour pension not your farm nor your business not even that which you simply want to pass on to ur own children.”
He said: “You name it, they'll tax it, and we say enough is enough!”
UK economy 'stagnating under the cold dead hand of a Labour government', says Mel Stride
10:10
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Manchester:
Britain’s economy is “stagnating under the cold dead hand of a Labour government”, Mel Stride has claimed.
While the shadow chancellor hit out at Labour’s management of the economy, he also attempted to strike a more optimistic tone, telling the Tory party conference that the UK is a “great country of drive and ambition and creativity, of decency, of tradition and heritage”.
He added: “We made the modern world and we can remake ourselves, for there is a path for us for a more prosperous future where this country, our country, can get back to a sense of ‘we can and we will’.
“A country in which it is instinctively understood that wealth creation should be fostered and cherished.
“A country that once again understands that wealth is created not by governments, striking unions and a bloated public sector but by entrepreneurs, businesses and the hardworking millions”.
Stride delivering speech to plenty of empty seats
10:09
,
Athena Stavrou
As the shadow chancellor began his speech at the Conservative Party conference, he stepped in front of a sparse crowd.
There were a number of empty seats at the main stage on Monday morning, as the Tory party struggles to keep the nation’s attention amid Reform UK’s rise in the polls.
Stride begins speech
10:03
,
Athena Stavrou
The shadow chancellor has begun his speech at the Conservative Party conference.
Sir Mel Stride took to the main stage in Manchester on Monday morning, where he is expected to unveil proposals to cut £47 billion of public spending.
Among the plans to be announced is a £23 billion cut to the welfare bill, replacing payments to people with “low level” mental health conditions with treatment and barring non-citizens from claiming support.
He is also expected to outline cuts to foreign aid and the Civil Service if his party wins the next election.
Shadow chancellor to deliver speech shortly
09:54
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Mel Stride is about to take to the main stage at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
The shadow chancellor is expected to unveil plans to cut £47 billion of public spending if the party win power at the next election.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
Pictured: Cleverly plays car racing game at Tory conference
09:50
,
Athena Stavrou
