It’s the first day of the annual Conservative party conference in Manchester. Grant Shapps, who is making his first major speech since being promoted to Defence Secretary, is the headline act on the main stage. Here are the rest of the highlights:
Main agenda – from 14:00:
1400: Greg Hands MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party
1415: Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
1430: Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd
1445: David TC Davies MP, Secretary of State for Wales
1500: Douglas Ross MP, Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionists
1515: Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland
1530: Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Defence
1545: James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Fringe events:
13:00 – Scottish Conservative and Unionist fringe
Douglas Ross MP welcomes Scottish members, Charter 4
13:00 – What should the Conservative manifesto offer schools?
NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union with Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and Sinéad Mc Brearty, Trafford Room – Midland Hotel
14:00 – Centre for Policy Studies
The CPS interviews Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove MP, CPS Theatre – Charter Foyer
15:00 – Daylight robbery? Tackling economic crime in the UK
Security minister Tom Tugendhat MP joins a Bright Blue and UK anti-corruption coalition panel to talk about how to combat the spread of economic crime, Central 6
15:30 – Getting Britain working
Resolution Foundation panel with Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, Seb Payne, David Willetts, Victoria Suite – Midland Hotel
16:30 – The Spectator Coffee House Shots drinks reception
Join The Spectator team for a gin and tonic to mark the start of conference, Exchange 11
17:00 – What is the future of Conservatism?
Onward panel with Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove MP, pensions minister Laura Trott MP, security minister Tom Tugendhat, Nick Timothy, Miriam Cates MP, Onward Marquee
17:00 – Is the Bank of England fit for purpose?
Centre for Policy Studies panel with Lord Frost, Dr Gerard Lyons, Szu Ping Chan and Tom Clougherty, CPS Theatre – Charter Foyer
19:30 – Maritime reception
Maritime UK invite you to enjoy a ‘tot of rum’ with Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Nusrat Ghani MP, Derby Suite
20:30 – Bright Blue reception
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaks at Bright Blue’s ‘Drink Tank’. The reception’s focus is on the UK’s future relationship with Europe, Stanley Suite – Midland Hotel
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