Tory conference gossip and secrets from day 1 of the annual squabble fest

We've all gone to Conservative Party conference so you don't have to. You're welcome.

Given the party is in the grip of a lengthy and tedious leadership contest, you might be forgiven for thinking Toryfest 2024 might be a somewhat inconsequential event. There's no leader, no policies - and if we're honest not that many people here compared to last year.

But, as always, there's fun to be had in the dark corners, late-night parties and gin-soaked bars of Conservative Party conference.

Every day, the Mirror Politics team and our army of willing spies will bring you the most vicious infighting, scandalous gossip and closely guarded secrets. Stay tuned.

Slow clap for Sunak

Yesterday's man Rishi Sunak was greeted with polite applause from a small group of supporters when he arrived at the conference hotel on Saturday evening. But after he got in the lift to his room, there was a second round of what can only be described as “sarcastic” applause from elsewhere in the hotel lobby.

Unaffordable carousing

You don’t have to be incredibly wealthy to come to Tory conference, but it sure helps. A pint of lager in a paper cup from the main conference bar costs an eye-watering £8.20.

And those relaxing in the bar after hours are treated to a 24/7 loop of adverts for companies played on huge TV screens - including ads for two arms manufacturers.

Let Me See That Tom. Baybeee. That Tom T-Tom Tom Tom

Tom Tugendhat’s leadership merchandise is being distributed from stand 22 of the conference exhibition. Who’s on stand 21? The assisted suicide charity Dignity in Dying.

We couldn’t possibly say whether this is a deliberate comment on his chances in the leadership contest.

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If it's XXL, then what the hell?

Rival Robert Jenrick has been giving out goodie bags to journalists and supporters, which include tubes of Love Hearts, lanyards and faux newsletters with medium-difficulty sudoku puzzles.

They also contain a Jenrick for Leader T-shirt in such a large size it could house a troop of boy scouts on a camping trip. One wag was overheard wondering whether Mr Jenrick had put in the order for the shirts “before he started on the Ozempic”.

Given Mr Jenrick’s commitment to “bring manufacturing back to Britain” - we’re delighted to reveal the T-shirts were made…in Bangladesh.

To cap it all...

Not satisfied with handing out bagfuls of stunt merchandise, it’s understood Mr Jenrick will be distributing baseball caps at his “rebel” fringe speech tomorrow.

Why? “Because you can’t reduce immigration without a cap”.

Conference highlights on Monday

2pm - Tom Tugendhat and Kemi Badenoch will set out their stall for the leadership in one to one interviews on the main stage