Conservative Party conference cancelled

Delay in making announcement prompted suggestions that Boris Johnson wanted to send out a ‘business as usual’ message - now abandoned

The Conservatives have abandoned hopes of staging their party conference this year, axing the autumn event planned for Birmingham.

Boris Johnson’s party had tried to save its conference – even after Labour and the Liberal Democrats scrapped theirs because of coronavirus – but will now hold a “virtual” event.

“We know that many people will be disappointed,” party chairman Amanda Milling told members.

The delay in making the announcement had prompted suggestions that the prime minister wanted to send out a ‘business as usual’ message, by ploughing ahead.

But, last week, the government was forced to implement a local lockdown in nearby Leicester, because of a spike in infections, with other crackdowns widely expected.

In her letter, Ms Milling and co-chairman Ben Elliott said the conference – due to take place in Birmingham between 4 and 7 October – will now be held online.

While “some elements of the traditional party conference we all know and love” might go ahead, this would only happen “if allowed by government guidelines”.

The party’s “first priority is for the health and safety of members, delegates and attendees”, the letter stated.

“If guidelines allow we hope we can include some elements of the traditional Party Conference we all know and love. See you virtually in October!”, Ms Milling, the MP for Cannock Chase tweeted.

As well as providing a crucial opportunity to speak to the nation, the party conferences are also key money-spinning events for the parties, which will now be lost.

The cancellation is a blow to Birmingham's economy, given the expectation that the gathering would boost the city coffers by £20m.

Around 11,000 people attend conferences, including activists, journalists and representatives of think-tanks, charities and businesses, flocking to hotels, bars and restaurants.