Liz Truss Tory conference speech disrupted by Greenpeace protesters; PM claims cutting taxes ‘right morally and economically’ – live

Good morning. Later this morning Liz Truss will deliver her keynote speech winding up what has been one of the most chaotic and dysfunctional party conferences organised by any major political party for years. The only one I can remember that was remotely similar was the Tory one in Blackpool in 2003, which saw the beleagured Iain Duncan Smith receive 19 standing ovations during his “the quiet man is turning up the volume” speech. A few weeks later, Conservative MPs decided to turn down the volume on Duncan Smith for good when they voted him out. Duncan Smith was the first Conservative leader elected by a ballot of party members. MPs concluded the members had just got the decision wrong, and many may be feeling the same way about Truss, the fourth Tory leader chosen by a leadership ballot.

In extracts from her speech released overnight, Truss will restate her determination to change Britain, while admitting that change will bring “disruption”. She will say:

The scale of the challenge is immense. War in Europe for the first time in a generation. A more uncertain world in the aftermath of Covid. And a global economic crisis. That is why in Britain we need to do things differently. Whenever there is change, there is disruption. Not everyone will be in favour. But everyone will benefit from the result – a growing economy and a better future. That is what we have a clear plan to deliver.

The problem with this argument is that, by and large, people aren’t that fond of disruption. Britain in many respects is inherently conservative (one reason why it has often voted Conservative). The mini-budget was disruptive, but that contributed to mortgage products being withdrawn, and interest rates going up – triggering a fierce backlash against the Tories in the polls.

James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, has been on the interview round this morning, and he acknowledged this when he told Times Radio the mini-budget had included “bitter-tasting medicine”. He said:

Now the simple truth is, a number of people aren’t used to hearing about the stimulating effects of tax cuts about the growth effects of reducing regulation. And quite understandably, they are reacting to that. People don’t necessarily like bitter-tasting medicine, but it will make us all collectively economically feel better. And when they do start feeling better, I have no doubt at all, that will be reflected in the polls.

Truss is due to deliver her speech in Birmingham at around 11am. Before she takes the stage, Jake Berry, the party chair, and Nadhim Zahawi, the Cabinet Office minister, are due to speak.

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