Rishi Sunak knows his future depends on bringing together those who want investment, and those who want tax cuts
For all the talk of a smaller scale operation and a reduced number of delegates, there is a surprisingly jolly buzz around the Conservative party conference. Perhaps it’s the novelty Margaret Thatcher mugs, or maybe it’s just the chance to be around others that is making people giddy, but it’s an atmosphere that any governing party should regard as a success.
Yesterday, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, took his audience on an unrelentingly optimistic ride – a look back at everything from furlough to the kickstarter scheme and an extra £500m for his “plan for jobs” – and no mention was made of the current concerns over shortages or price rises being faced by the public.
Salma Shah is a former special adviser to Sajid Javid