Tories cancel party conference due to coronavirus pandemic
Prime mnister Boris Johnson speaking at a press conference on the election trail. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA. - Credit: PA
The Tories have followed Labour and the Lib Dems in cancelling their party conference this year.
Party chairman Amanda Milling announced the decision and said that the Tories' 'first priority is for the health and safety of members, delegates and attendees'.
She said that the event, which was scheduled to take place in the first week of October in Birmingham, will now be moved online.
'We know that many people will be disappointed,' she added.
But in an e-mail she said she proposed a new calendar of events would include 'some elements of the traditional party conference we all know and love' if it adheres to government guidelines.
You may also want to watch:
The lack of conferences this year could have a knock-on impact on the standings of political leaders.
Both Labour and Lib Dems would have hoped to showcase their leader and make new policy announcement to garner headlines, while the Tories will have wanted conference to be an opportunity to move on from the coronavirus crisis, if the country manages to avoid a second peak.
Most Read
- 1 Who's on the BBC's Question Time tonight?
- 2 More approve of EU leadership than Boris Johnson's premiership, poll finds
- 3 MANDRAKE: Chilling news for Telegraph bosses
- 4 Tory minister's claim over free school meals funding gets quickly debunked
- 5 Minister self-isolates just a day after being spotted flouting mask rules
- 6 Tory MP blames 'chaotic parents' for children going to school hungry
- 7 Questions over Nigel Farage's quarantine status as he appears on stage with Donald Trump at rally
- 8 Liz Truss to deliver speech rejecting 'Britain First' strategy ahead of US election
- 9 Pret a Manger founder against lockdown because it will only 'save a few thousand lives'
- 10 Viktor Orban has eyes on a Brexit opportunity
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
