Conservative party conference - live updates: Philip Hammond warns of Cuba-style food shortages if Corbyn is elected

Follow the latest updates from the Conservative party conference in Manchester

Chancellor Philip Hammond arrives at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, alongside Theresa May (Getty)

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the second day of the Conservative party conference in Manchester.

During his keynote speech Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, claimed Britain risks Cuba and Venezuela-style food shortages if Jeremy Corbyn wins power at the next election.

Raising the spectre of failed socialist states, he branded Labour’s economic plans a “political version of Jurassic Park”.

It comes after the Chancellor warned Boris Johnson he could be fired if he keeps trying to push Theresa May towards a harder Brexit, saying: “Everyone is sackable.”

And he warned Cabinet divisions were damaging the chances of success in the Brexit talks, saying: “The more we can show unity, the stronger our negotiating position.”

Mr Hammond insisted the Cabinet had agreed a united position that the transition now being sought by the Prime Minister should last “around two years” – while admitting he had pushed for up to four years.

The Chancellor’s comments come after senior Tories rounded on Mr Johnson’s open challenge to Brexit policy. One told The Independent he was “incredibly disloyal”.

Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce launched an outspoken attack on the Cabinet squabbling, demanding the Tories pull themselves together and show “competence and coherence”