Back the project further would be a mistake. Mr sunak is due to speak at around 11 40. As talk to our Political Correspondent nick eardley. Whats the atmosphere like here . We are heading a major speech from the Prime Minister, a speech that will focus on Notjust Policy but also the personality of the politician delivering it. Its but also the personality of the politician delivering it. Politician delivering it. Its a Hue Politician delivering it. Its a huge moment politician delivering it. Its a huge moment for politician delivering it. Its a huge moment for the politician delivering it. Its a huge moment for the prime j politician delivering it. It� s. Huge moment for the Prime Minister, because we have been chatting all week on bbc news about whether rishi sunak had got a lift off that he needs to try and make up some of the ground in the polls. I think the answer so far is frankly no stop ive been chatting to tory mps, Texting Tory Activists about their reaction and i think they all want to see a big plan from the Prime Minister. This is probably one of the biggest moment of rishi sunak� s career. Because so far we have seen rishi sunak trying to be the stability Prime Minister after some of the economic turmoil of last year, he wanted to say, look, we have got a grip on things, we will keep it under control and show you that we can be trusted with the economy. He thinks hes done that, there is still a big debate about there is still a big debate about the economic situation. But what he wants to do today is give his Party Something to fight for. They are miles behind in the polls, a lot of people think the next election as labours to lose and rishi sunak needs to offer them something, yet all the while we are here in manchester talking about that hugely, hugely controversial decision to scrap the northern leg of h52. What i will be interested to see is, what rishi sunak� s alternative dates, where that money that the government is going to save by not going ahead with the northern leg of h52, where is it going to be spent . Its leg of h52, where is it going to be sent . � , . Leg of h52, where is it going to be sent . � , m , spent . Its difficult because this is a preject spent . Its difficult because this is a project that spent . Its difficult because this is a project that was spent . Its difficult because this is a project that was originally. Is a project that was originally conceived of by a Labour Government but it was brought to life under the tories. So how is rishi sunak going to make voters believe that the pledges hes going to make today are going to be carried out . I pledges hes going to make today are going to be carried out . Going to be carried out . I think he will ara ue going to be carried out . I think he will argue that going to be carried out . I think he will argue that he going to be carried out . I think he will argue that he has going to be carried out . I think he will argue that he has gone going to be carried out . I think he l will argue that he has gone through the numbers and decided that its too expensive, that a mixture of inflation and other government spending, and other Government Parties actually, mean that its just not feasible now to go ahead with a high cost northern leg of h52. I with a high cost northern leg of hs2. I suspect he will offer quite a lot of incentives for the north of england by saying, i get it, youre not happy, but heres what im going to do instead and i think its a better plan. However, you raise a really important point, which is, if you were to walk into the hall over there, you would struggle to find ministers who for the last few years have talked about the importance of h52 have talked about the importance of hs2 reaching this city, reaching manchester for the whole levelling up programme. There will be no shortage of quotes thrown back at ministers in the next few days to say, when did you change your mind . Is this sign that levelling up that isnt as important as it was to you a few weeks or months ago . We are auoin to a few weeks or months ago . We are going to have a few weeks or months ago . We are going to have to a few weeks or months ago . We are going to have to wrap a few weeks or months ago . We are going to have to wrap up a few weeks or months ago . We are going to have to wrap up with a few weeks or months ago . We are going to have to wrap up with you i going to have to wrap up with you there, but thank you so much for coming to us from manchester, i know were going to be coming to you. For now, lets get more reaction about the future of the hs2 rail link. 0ur Correspondent is at Euston Station and also at Manchester Piccadilly. Katy austin is in birmingham. Frances, lets start with you, what questions are being asked in the capital today about the future of High Speed Rail . I capital today about the future of High Speed Rail . Capital today about the future of High Speed Rail . I think there are auestions High Speed Rail . I think there are questions even High Speed Rail . I think there are questions even here High Speed Rail . I think there are questions even here in High Speed Rail . I think there are questions even here in london, i High Speed Rail . I think there are questions even here in london, where the terminus is supposed to be. Reports have suggested that rishi sunak would give the go ahead for the scheme to actually reach central london, because even that was being questioned, it was suggested the terminus could actually be six miles away in a suburb of western london, so that was in on old 0ak common, it was rumoured, it was in a lot of the newspapers over the last couple weeks as to whether hs2 would even reach here in houston, which was many people in manchester will now as the main harbour that you come into here in london from manchester at the moment. And i think there are questions about whether 0ld 0ak common could cope as a terminus as well. My understanding is that there has been a lot of pressure from the cabinet on rishi sunak to make sure that the terminus was at euston, both for optics and for economics as well, those were the reports so far. But as nick was saying, the decision is so important particularly for people from manchester coming into euston and things like that, because this rumoured potential of the scrapping further north has been met with scathing criticism already, particularly from the mayor of manchester, andy burnham, who basically said that ditching it would be a permanent statement to people in the north that they were Second Class Citizens when it came to transport. Of course, that is much of the feeling that people that come into euston from manchester. Frances, lets turn tojudith, who is in manchester for us frances, lets turn tojudith, who is in manchesterfor us now. You are in the eye of the storm, judith. What are you hearing, what reaction are you getting . Are you getting . While, as you ust heard from are you getting . While, as you ust heard from frances, i are you getting . While, as you ust heard from frances, andy � are you getting . While, as you just| heard from frances, andy burnham are you getting . While, as you just heard from frances, andy burnham has led thai heard from frances, andy burnham has led that reaction by saying Second Class Citizens is how we feel. Second class citizens is how we feel. This Second Class Citizens is how we feel. This is Second Class Citizens is how we feel, this is how this decision will make feel, this is how this decision will make us feel, this is how this decision will make us look. And thats the reality make us look. And thats the reality. You hear that from business leaders. Reality. You hear that from business leaders, from the Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse partnership, who represents businesses and Civic Leaders who represents businesses and Civic Leaders around this area, who says that as leaders around this area, who says that as a leaders around this area, who says that as a direct result of this, the economy that as a direct result of this, the economy of that as a direct result of this, the economy of the north of england will be significantly smaller than that of the be significantly smaller than that of the rest of the south. Thats what of the rest of the south. Thats what you of the rest of the south. Thats what you hear from businesses and actually what you hear from businesses and actually a what you hear from businesses and actually a number of businesses from this area actually a number of businesses from this area Work Together to write to the prime this area Work Together to write to the Prime Minister not to make this decision, the Prime Minister not to make this decision, but there is a weary resignation here at Manchester Piccadilly station, when i talk to the public and the passengers, the travelling the public and the passengers, the travelling public coming of trends. Its quieter here than normal perhaps its quieter here than normal perhaps because there is a strike on, perhaps because there is a strike on. One perhaps because there is a strike on. One of perhaps because there is a strike on. One of a perhaps because there is a strike on, one of a series of strikes that people on, one of a series of strikes that people are on, one of a series of strikes that people are getting used to coping with people are getting used to coping with but people are getting used to coping with. But that aside, they say to me, with. But that aside, they say to me. We with. But that aside, they say to me, we knew this was coming, is hardly me, we knew this was coming, is hardly a me, we knew this was coming, is hardly a big me, we knew this was coming, is hardly a big surprise but its not the only hardly a big surprise but its not the only thing that matters to us, they are the only thing that matters to us, they are also very bothered about transport they are also very bothered about transport across the pennines, across transport across the pennines, across the transport across the pennines, across the north of england from east to across the north of england from east to west. | across the north of england from east to west across the north of england from east to west. I would like to bring in katy austin. East to west. I would like to bring in katy austin, who east to west. I would like to bring in katy austin, who is east to west. I would like to bring in katy austin, who is speaking i east to west. I would like to bring j in katy austin, who is speaking to us from birmingham. Youve been tracking this decision for quite some time. What is the wider reaction where you are the Transport Industry . Reaction where you are the Transport Indust . ~ ~ , �. , industry . Well, i think this isnt a surrise, industry . Well, i think this isnt a surprise. As industry . Well, i think this isnt a surprise, as Judith Industry . Well, i think this isnt a surprise, as judith was industry . Well, i think this isnt a surprise, as judith was saying. I surprise, asjudith was saying. There has been a lot of speculation that this could be on the cards. But i dont want to understate the significance of this moment, really. It does change the picture of hs2 and the benefits. We would get by not building a new high speed link connecting birmingham and manchester. There are two things there. There is a bit to do with journey two things there. There is a bit to do withjourney time, two things there. There is a bit to do with journey time, so it wouldnt be quite as quick to get between london, birmingham and manchester if you didnt have a high speed link, you didnt have a high speed link, you just run trains on existing track, but there is also a question of capacity. Basically freeing up space, because the West Coast Main Line is very congested, one of the main arguments for building hs2 was to free up capacity to make it less congested, notjust adding more Passenger Services but also making space for freight. So does change the game, changes the picture, changes the benefits of what hs2 would bring, as supporters would say. So really waiting to hear the detail of how rishi sunak thinks that any alternative projects would bring benefits in different ways. One more thing that is worth mentioning. One more thing that is worth mentioning. One more thing that is worth mentioning. One more thing that is worth mentionina. , mentioning. Dust proof if you can, we will have mentioning. Dust proof if you can, we will have a mentioning. Dust proof if you can, we will have a short mentioning. Dust proof if you can, we will have a short period mentioning. Dust proof if you can, we will have a short period of mentioning. Dust proof if you can, we will have a short period of time. | we will have a short period of time. | we will have a short period of time. Ijust briefly. There is the question of what would happen with whats called Northern Powerhouse rail, east west link across the north of england, that was meant to start using the bit of hs2 around manchester, so what happens to that, is it still possible, with the be alternative . Katy austin, frances reid and judith moritz, echoed all three of you. Lets move on and take a look at some of the other places around the world where High Speed Rail is in operation. Rail is in operation. Spain has euroe rail is in operation. Spain has europe pot rail is in operation. Spain has europe pot most rail is in operation. Spain has europe pot most extensive. Rail is in operation. Spain has europe pot most extensive highspeed europe pot most extensive high speed network, one of the fastest stretches is the madrid to barcelona high speed line. It has a it is 621 kilometres long and was inaugurated in 2008, designed for speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour. China plasma High Speed Rail Network is the worlds longest and most extensively used. Two thirds of the worlds ray operation is in china. Lets speak to rob holden who was a former chairman of hs1 as well as being the former ceo of crossrail and Chief Executive at eurostar. You are an experienced project manager, delivering these huge infrastructure projects. When it comes to the cost of these projects, is it really outside of the governments per view how much these projects will cost, or sometimes are these things more manageable than we might think . How much was hs2 really projected cost . Well, one of the issues with hs2 was it was designed originally to operate at 400 kilometres per hour, subsequently reduced to 360. As he said, compared to other high speed lines in the world, that is very high speed. Its been my view and the view of others that the geography of this country is very different than continental europe, very different than asia, and hs1 was designed for a 300 k ph is probably the maximum we should have been considering. The difference between designing a railway with 300 k ph and 400 is astronomical. Huge savings could have been made by having the right project from the outset. Having the right proect from the outset. ,. , ~ having the right proect from the outset. ,. , ~. , having the right proect from the outset. ,. ,. , outset. Looking at other proects that youve i outset. Looking at other proects that youve been involved h outset. Looking at other projects that youve been involved with, i outset. Looking at other projects| that youve been involved with, in comparison, did they face other concerns and challenges at the time . Why would those why were they able to get over the line when we are facing a real different situation when it comes to hs2 . Facing a real different situation when it comes to h52 . Facing a real different situation when it comes to h52 . Well, mega roects in when it comes to h52 . Well, mega projects in the when it comes to h52 . Well, mega projects in the uk when it comes to h52 . Well, mega projects in the uk always when it comes to h52 . Well, mega projects in the uk always take when it comes to h52 . Well, mega projects in the uk always Take A Projects in the uk always take a long time to get over the line, as you say. That is because of the various consultations which need to take place with the public, with potential users. 0nce take place with the public, with potential users. Once a project has been approved, it should go ahead very quickly. In the secret there is making sure you have the design completed before you start construction, and you limit the number of changes you can make. But having the design and making change is disastrous for big projects. Titer . Is disastrous for big proects. Very briefl , is disastrous for big proects. Very briefly. How is disastrous for big proects. Very briefly, how easy h is disastrous for big proects. Very briefly, how easy is is disastrous for big proects. Very briefly, how easy is it h is disastrous for big projects. Very briefly, how easy is it to put a halt to a project of this size . Certainly, its going to have some difficulties because, particularly where land has already been bought, work has started on that land. The Remediation Costs will be not inconsiderable. Remediation costs will be not inconsiderable. ,. , inconsiderable. And what are you auoin to inconsiderable. And what are you going to be inconsiderable. And what are you going to be listening inconsiderable. And what are you going to be listening out inconsiderable. And what are you going to be listening out for inconsiderable. And what are you going to be listening out for in i going to be listening out for in terms of rishi sunak� s speech today . What other projects do you think would be able to equate to hs2 or make up for this cancellation . The bi est make up for this cancellation . The biggest one make up for this cancellation . Tue biggest one for make up for this cancellation . Tte biggest one for people make up for this cancellation . Tte biggest one for people in make up for this cancellation . Tte biggest one for people in the north west is clearly east to west links between liverpool, leeds and beyond and perhaps up to the north east with newcastle. Rab northeast with newcastle. Rob holden, thank northeast with newcastle. Rob holden, thank you north east with newcastle. Rob holden, thank you very much for speaking to us. That was rob holden, former Chief Executive at rail staff. Now letsjoin our former Chief Executive at rail staff. Now lets join our colleagues on politics live for a special coverage of the conservative coverage of the conservative coverage and rishi sunak� s speech. This is politics live. Joining me here in manchester conservative mp bim afolami, the timess lara spirit, henry hill from conservative home, and our polititical editor chris mason. Here is the scene in the Conference Hall now. I think we can now the Prime Minister rishi sunak accompanied by his wife, akshata murthy, making their way in the sunshine that has finally come out in manchester, of the steps to the Conference Hall ahead of his big speech. It is the traditional Photo Opportunity at the annual conference. This is rishi sunak� s first Conference Speech to his Party Faithful and mps. It could, of course, possibly be his last as Prime Minister before a general election next year. Certainly all smiles now. The shadow, if you like, over this whole conference has been the Prime Ministers refusal to answer The Big Question about the High Speed Rail line, which we now know is not going to continue from birmingham onto manchester. But we will hear all of the detail in his speech. Chris mason, how would you assess this conference for rishi sunak . You spoke to him yesterday, what was his mood . T spoke to him yesterday, what was his mood . ~. , spoke to him yesterday, what was his mood . ~. , , spoke to him yesterday, what was his mood . ~. , , ~ mood . I think what has been striking this week, firstly mood . I think what has been striking this week, firstly the mood . I think what has been striking this week, firstly the obvious this week, firstly the obvious point, in contrast to last year, to spot conventional as opposed to explosive in the way that last year was. I have been struck that prior to today, at least, the speeches from the Conference Floor from ministers have felt relatively low key. That is not to say there have not been announcements, but relatively low key. That is perhaps magnified the relative volume, if you like, attached to some of the noises, whether that be Andy Street The Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, his arguments around hs2, or the arrival with great fanfare of liz truss the other day. But i think part of the strategy from the governments perspective was to leave the big moment to now. In other words, the announcement would come in the Prime Ministers speech. Ijust had a text from a minister who says they have been fully briefed on what we are about to hear. Insert caveat of little bits of spin and expect teenage expectation management, but this person says this would be a transfer moment for the Prime Minister with more big economic and social announcements than we are accustomed to. , announcements than we are accustomed to. � , announcements than we are accustomed to. Raising expectations. Lets put it that way to. Raising expectations. Lets put it that way. You to. Raising expectations. Lets put it that way. You are to. Raising expectations. Lets put it that way. You are right to. Raising expectations. Lets put it that way. You are right about. It that way. You are right about putting it into context compared to last year. It seems such a long time ago. One of The Big Question is that rishi sunak has had to answer throughout his relatively short tenure thus far is the mandate. The people he is addressing, a huge queue, and we will hear from some of those in a moment, who are waiting outside to hear him speak, is that many of them did not choose him to be their leader. You know, who and where is his mandate from . Young mackay was talking to a former Cabinet Minister who said it is a little bit rich to suggest that one of your predecessors, i would use the word rubbish, which isnt quite the word rubbish, which isnt quite the word rubbish, which isnt quite the word they used, when you do not have a mandate. Have a mandate. Equally, when you are the prime have a mandate. Equally, when you are the Prime Minister have a mandate. Equally, when you are the Prime Minister and have a mandate. Equally, when you are the Prime Minister and have have a mandate. Equally, when you| are the Prime Minister and have had are the Prime Minister and have had a year of steadying the ship, youre blasted a year which is considerably longer than your immediate predecessor and obey suggest the government is in any kind of peril prior to the general election, but the polls are still sticky and you are miles behind, and if nothing else changes it looks like youre going to lose, then if you and your team around you look at that scenario, which is what they have done, and come to that conclusion, which they have done, you have got to do something different. Rishi sunak has long been frustrated that political circumstances meant that he feels the country has never seen the real him politically. You had to manage the pandemic, he had to manage the pandemic, he had to manage the pandemic, he had to manage the politics of chaos. Now he wants to do what he really believes in. ~ ,. ,. , in. Members of the cabinet there, james cleverley, in. Members of the cabinet there, james cleverley, foreign in. Members of the cabinet there, i james cleverley, foreign secretary, suella braverman, we have had quite a bit from her. We will talk a bit about her later if we have time. Grant shapps, steve backley. They are all filing in. To go back to chris, your theme about what people know about rishi sunak. This idea of being the change candidate, this word that we have heard, as you said, 13 years of conservative governments of different stripes, is convincing that he can be the change candidate . Tt is convincing that he can be the change candidate . , . Convincing that he can be the change candidate . ,. ,. , candidate . It is difficult when you want to be the candidate . It is difficult when you want to be the change candidate . It is difficult when you want to be the change candidate l candidate . It is difficult when you want to be the change candidate when you are Prime Minister numberfive in a 13 year run in power. But if youre rishi sunak, what is the alternative . You need to do something. He and his argument will be, and we will hear this in the speech, is that keir starmer and labour, their instinct is to almost be small see conservative, do not want to say very much, to be very reticent to see anything bold. Their argument is, if you go into an election and make a pitch that you are the agent of change and your opponent lacks ideas, lacks a spark, this will be the argument we will hear, that gives you the best chance of being competitive. It also forces your opponent, forces labour in this instance, to say stuff. What are they going to do about hs2 . Well they going to do about hs2 . Well they commit to maintaining the north unlike with the bells attached or not . And Everything Else that we hear from the prime not . And Everything Else that we hearfrom the Prime Minister, it forces labour to take a position. We will talk about hsz forces labour to take a position. We will talk about h52 in forces labour to take a position. We will talk about hsz injust forces labour to take a position. We will talk about h52 in just a forces labour to take a position. We will talk about Hsz Injust A Moment will talk about hs2 in just a moment and catch up on precisely what we know is or is not going to happen. Bim, let me get your response on the issue of him being a change candidate. There is a big problem at the heart of him saying he is the change candidate because it is sort of trashing the record of previous conservative governments of which he was a part, certainly in the last few years, saying, we got it wrong. We all know, as does everybody watching, we all know, as does everybody watching, that the last few years have watching, that the last few years have been very chaotic in british politics have been very chaotic in british politics. The last year obviously we steadied politics. The last year obviously we steadied the ship, as chris said. What steadied the ship, as chris said. What the steadied the ship, as chris said. What the Prime Minister is right in doing what the Prime Minister is right in doing is what the Prime Minister is right in doing is not, im afraid, just looking doing is not, im afraid, just looking at doing is not, im afraid, just looking at the conservative governments of David Cameron, Theresa Governments of David Cameron, theresa may etc, but actually thinking theresa may etc, but actually thinking of politics over the last 30 years. Thinking of politics over the last 30 years, Notjust Thinking of politics over the last 30 years, not just the thinking of politics over the last 30 years, notjust the last 13, the last 30, 30 years, notjust the last 13, the last 30, thinking about whether and i last 30, thinking about whether and i do last 30, thinking about whether and i do not last 30, thinking about whether and i do not know if this is going to work and i do not know if this is going to work but thinking about, is there to work but thinking about, is there a to work but thinking about, is there a chance that this country can do politics there a chance that this country can do politics differently now, with him as do politics differently now, with him as leader, than we have done for a generation . That is the change we need, a generation . That is the change we need. Not a generation . That is the change we need, Notjust A Change from Boris Johnson need, Notjust A Change from Boris Johnson or need, Notjust A Change from Boris Johnson or liz truss. Lets need, Notjust A Change from Boris Johnson or liz truss. Need, Notjust A Change from Boris Johnson or liz truss. Lets take that exam le, johnson or liz truss. Lets take that example. Lets johnson or liz truss. Lets take that example, lets take johnson or liz truss. Lets take that example, lets take h52, johnson or liz truss. Lets take that example, lets take h52, lets johnson or liz truss. Lets take that example, lets take h52, letsjustl example, lets take hs2, letsjust show our viewers and guests here that map. Broadly speaking, it is the map of High Speed Rail, certainly from london to birmingham, that we know is under way and is going to be completed. You can see it shoots out a little bit beyond birmingham. Tell us, chris, what is not going to happen. That birmingham. Tell us, chris, what is not going to happen. Not going to happen. That dotted line we can not going to happen. That dotted line we can see not going to happen. That dotted line we can see just not going to happen. That dotted line we can see just north not going to happen. That dotted line we can see just north of line we can see just north of birmingham up towards crewe and then onto manchester, or indeed the other way if you are travelling south, thatis way if you are travelling south, that is the that is going to go. I think what is crucial and will be central to the kind of post match analysis, the nature of how this has come about there was the snatched photo by a brilliant political photographer three weeks ago, revealing that this conversation was going on in government, what happens when you get leaks like this is opponents of what a government is planning can get out first and publicly make their argument whilst the government is still trying to work out precisely what it is going to do. They have had to accelerate their Decision Making about their alternatives because the timeframe originally was towards the autumn statement, which is mid to late november, and then you could decide what youre doing privately, use the political line will be picture bit in terms of what youre going to do, talk to people in advance, start trailing the ideas that you have got, and said everything has happened in reverse. Crucially in terms of how this goes down, yes, there will be some who are furious, there will be some who are furious, there will be some who are delighted, but what are the other ideas . What happens to East West Connections in the north of england was back what happens to suburban connections in the West Midlands . What happens in wales . I suspect there will be something and therefore wales. How is the alternative packaged up and sold. And on what cost basis, how quickly can it be delivered relative to hs2, that will be key. That can it be delivered relative to h52, that will be key. That will be key. That will be the auestions that will be key. That will be the questions and that will be key. That will be the questions and the that will be key. That will be the questions and the rational that will be key. That will be the questions and the rational being given by the Prime Minister. I think the warm up the speech is still continuing inside the hall. We can dip in and have a look, being given by Penny Mordaunt, there she is. A popularfigure in the party. And a former leadership contender. Many would say this, to some extent, has been a bit of a Beauty Contest this week for potential future leaders of the party. A bit of stand up. Allah i do not know what she is saying, but that is what i hear. Part of the process it but that is what i hear. Part of the roces ,. , � but that is what i hear. Part of the roces , �. , but that is what i hear. Part of the races ,. , �. ,. , but that is what i hear. Part of the roces i. �. ,. , process if youre doing the warm up, ou need process if youre doing the warm up, you need to process if youre doing the warm up, you need to do process if youre doing the warm up, you need to do get process if youre doing the warm up, you need to do get the process if youre doing the warm up, you need to do get the Crowd Process if youre doing the warm up, you need to do get the crowd going. | you need to do get the crowd going. She is quite good at it in the house of commons, in terms of holding fort. ,. Of commons, in terms of holding fort,. ,. , of commons, in terms of holding fort. ,. ,. ,. , fort. She gave a speech to the parliamentary fort. She gave a speech to the Parliamentary Press fort. She gave a speech to the Parliamentary Press gallery i fort. She gave a speech to the Parliamentary Press gallery inj fort. She gave a speech to the i Parliamentary Press gallery in a fort. She gave a speech to the Parliamentary Press gallery in a few months ago which was very funny. I dont know if she wrote it herself, i do not know, but it was a good one. , one. She delivered it well. Chris mason, thank one. She delivered it well. Chris mason, thank you one. She delivered it well. Chris mason, thank you for one. She delivered it well. Chris mason, thank you forjoining i one. She delivered it well. Chris| mason, thank you forjoining us. One. She delivered it well. Chris i mason, thank you forjoining us. I know you have got to get into the hall and take your place before the video that we are expecting, the traditional video ahead of the Prime Minister taking to his feet. Henry, you have been here all week, you have been watching this conference unfold. Are you convinced by the change candidate, rishi sunak . Tt change candidate, rishi sunak . Tit will be remarkable if he pulls it off. But i am prepared to be surprised. The conservatives have done this before. 2010, David Cameron was elected, they have changed leader and direction several times and effectively reset with the british public. They can do it. I think when you have done it this many times, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep doing it, but rishi sunak might. The problem is that we have had all of these policy announcements, they have leaked. They all seem a bit better. I am sure they have been focus grouped to death, but there does not seem to be an overarching script that pulls them together. I have no idea what them together. I have no idea what the real rishi sunak might look like. He has done so far as cuts to. The most important thing is that he hit the height of his popularity as chancellor, during the pandemic, when he was doing stuff that he hated doing. I do not think that when we have seen the real rishi, thatis when we have seen the real rishi, that is necessarily been all that popular. It will be interesting to see whether or not the rishi that emerges in this speech is able to recapture some of that magic from when he was hosing money at the nation. Ibis when he was hosing money at the nation. � , when he was hosing money at the nation. ~ , i. , when he was hosing money at the nation. A i. , when he was hosing money at the nation. A. , nation. As you say, that is when you are most popular. Nation. As you say, that is when you are most popular. We nation. As you say, that is when you are most popular. We can nation. As you say, that is when you are most popular. We can see nation. As you say, that is when you | are most popular. We can see people going into the hall, lara, because as always with these Conference Speeches, it is notjust to the people gathered inside the hall, many of whom he was not their first choice or their choice at all to become a leader of the conservative party, but it is also the wider electorate outside. He has got to make a pitch to them. This electorate outside. He has got to make a pitch to them. Make a pitch to them. This is his second phase make a pitch to them. This is his second phase of make a pitch to them. This is his second phase of leadership, make a pitch to them. This is his second phase of leadership, so i make a pitch to them. This is his| second phase of leadership, so to speak second phase of leadership, so to speak we second phase of leadership, so to speak. We had second phase of leadership, so to speak. We had a second phase of leadership, so to speak. We had a destabilising second phase of leadership, so to speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had him speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had him setting speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had him setting out speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had him setting out his speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had him setting out his five speak. We had a destabilising phase, we had him setting out his five key. We had him setting out his five key priorities we had him setting out his five key priorities at we had him setting out his five key priorities at the we had him setting out his five key priorities at the beginning we had him setting out his five key priorities at the beginning of we had him setting out his five key priorities at the beginning of the i priorities at the beginning of the year. Priorities at the beginning of the year. Saying priorities at the beginning of the year, saying these priorities at the beginning of the year, saying these Were Priorities at the beginning of the year, saying these were the priorities at the beginning of the i year, saying these were the things he was year, saying these were the things he was going year, saying these were the things he was going to year, saying these were the things he was going to be year, saying these were the things he was going to be focused year, saying these were the things he was going to be focused on. Year, saying these were the things i he was going to be focused on. Now were he was going to be focused on. Now were going he was going to be focused on. Now were going to he was going to be focused on. Now were going to have he was going to be focused on. Now were going to have a he was going to be focused on. Now were going to have a speech he was going to be focused on. Nowl were going to have a Speech Running to almost were going to have a Speech Running to almost an were going to have a Speech Running to almost an hour were going to have a Speech Running to almost an hour long were going to have a Speech Running to almost an hour long today were going to have a Speech Running to almost an hour long today in to almost an hour long today in which to almost an hour long today in which we to almost an hour long today in which we will to almost an hour long today in which we will see to almost an hour long today in which we will see the which we will see the so called vision which we will see the so called vision like which we will see the so called vision. Like harry which we will see the so called vision. Like harry so which we will see the so called vision. Like harry so far which we will see the so called vision. Like harry so far these i which we will see the so called vision. Like harry so far these have seen vision. Like harry so far these have seen in vision. Like harry so far these have seen in some vision. Like harry so far these have seen in some senses vision. Like harry so far these have seen in some senses to vision. Like harry so far these have seen in some senses to be seen in some senses to be disaggregated seen in some senses to be disaggregated policies seen in some senses to be disaggregated policies in. Seen in some senses to be disaggregated policies in different parts of disaggregated policies in different parts of government disaggregated policies in different parts of government and disaggregated policies in different parts of government and different platforms parts of government and different platforms witt parts of government and different platforms. Will he parts of government and different platforms. Will he be parts of government and different platforms. Will he be able parts of government and different platforms. Will he be able to parts of government and different| platforms. Will he be able to bring it into platforms. Will he be able to bring it into a platforms. Will he be able to bring it into a coherent platforms. Will he be able to bring it into a coherent whole, platforms. Will he be able to bring it into a coherent whole, not platforms. Will he be able to bring it into a coherent whole, not just i it into a coherent whole, notjust for the it into a coherent whole, notjust for the people it into a coherent whole, notjust for the people here, it into a coherent whole, notjust for the people here, the it into a coherent whole, notjust for the people here, the party. For the people here, the Party Faithful, for the people here, the Party Faithful, although for the people here, the Party Faithful, although their for the people here, the party. Faithful, although their reaction will be faithful, although their reaction will be important, faithful, although their reaction will be important, many faithful, although their reaction will be important, many people heading will be important, many people heading in will be important, many people heading in there will be important, many people heading in there right will be important, many people heading in there right now, will be important, many peoplei heading in there right now, even after heading in there right now, even after the heading in there right now, even after the initial heading in there right now, even after the initial consent heading in there right now, even after the initial consent of heading in there right now, even after the initial consent of train i after the initial consent of Train Strikes after the initial consent of Train Strikes whether after the initial consent of Train Strikes whether they after the initial consent of Train Strikes whether they will after the initial consent of Train Strikes whether they will be after the initial consent of train. Strikes whether they will be able after the initial consent of Train Strikes whether they will be able to fill the strikes whether they will be able to fill the hole. Strikes whether they will be able to fill the hole, but strikes whether they will be able to fill the hole, butjust strikes whether they will be able to fill the hole, butjust use strikes whether they will be able to fill the hole, butjust use this fill the hole, butjust use this opportunity fill the hole, butjust use this opportunity to fill the hole, butjust use this opportunity to speak fill the hole, butjust use this opportunity to speak to fill the hole, butjust use this opportunity to speak to the i fill the hole, butjust use this opportunity to speak to the wider electorate opportunity to speak to the wider electorate and opportunity to speak to the wider electorate and for opportunity to speak to the wider electorate and for them opportunity to speak to the wider electorate and for them to opportunity to speak to the wider electorate and for them to gaugej electorate and for them to gauge what electorate and for them to gauge what he electorate and for them to gauge what he stands electorate and for them to gauge what he stands for. Electorate and for them to gauge what he stands for. We electorate and for them to gauge what he stands for. What he stands for. We will hear from people what he stands for. We will hear from people been what he stands for. We will hear from people been queueing what he stands for. We will hear from people been queueing outside. How much of a betrayal as this announcement that hs2 will not go ahead from birmingham to manchester, bim . I ahead from birmingham to manchester, bim . ,. , ~ ahead from birmingham to manchester, bim . ,. , ~ , ahead from birmingham to manchester, bim . ,. ,. , bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say. Bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say. I bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say, i think bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say, i think it bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say, i think it is bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say, i think it is a bim . I do not think betrayal is what i would say, i think it is a shame i i would say, i think it is a shame that i would say, i think it is a shame that as i would say, i think it is a shame that as a i would say, i think it is a shame that as a country we have found it so difficult that as a country we have found it so difficult to control the costs. Government. So difficult to control the costs. Government. ,. ,. ,. , government. The original proect was can see b government. The original proect was can by the government. The original proect was can see by the labour h government. The original project was can see by the Labour Government, i can see by the Labour Government, but we can see by the Labour Government, but we have can see by the Labour Government, but we have been obviously in government for the last 13 years with It Government for the last 13 years with It Government for the last 13 years with it. Conceived by the Labour Government with it. Conceived by the Labour Government. We are where we are. The key thing. Government. We are where we are. The key thing. As government. We are where we are. The key thing, as chris said earlier, is how weak key thing, as chris said earlier, is how weak we are going to deliver positive how weak we are going to deliver positive projects in the north, east west positive projects in the north, east west links, positive projects in the north, east west links, wales, etc. I do not know west links, wales, etc. I do not know what west links, wales, etc. I do not know what is west links, wales, etc. I do not know what is in the speech, but i have know what is in the speech, but i have been know what is in the speech, but i have been assured there will be a lot of have been assured there will be a lot of detail as to what the alternatives are to hsz. It is really alternatives are to hsz. It is really important that as a country we do really important that as a country we do not really important that as a country we do not give up on doing big projects we do not give up on doing big projects. At the same time, we have ot projects. At the same time, we have got to projects. At the same time, we have got to be projects. At the same time, we have got to be brave enough to say, sometimes things do not work and you have got sometimes things do not work and you have got to sometimes things do not work and you have got to say, we are going to change have got to say, we are going to change course. I think that bravery may not change course. I think that bravery may not be change course. I think that bravery may not be popular. Im not sitting here saying may not be popular. Im not sitting here saying everybody is going to love this here saying everybody is going to love this announcement. I am pretty sure it love this announcement. I am pretty sure it may love this announcement. I am pretty sure it may not pull very well. But if that sure it may not pull very well. But if that is sure it may not pull very well. But if that is the sure it may not pull very well. But if that is the right thing to do, we have if that is the right thing to do, we have to if that is the right thing to do, we have to do if that is the right thing to do, we have to do it and show people that we are have to do it and show people that we are doing it for the right reason for the we are doing it for the right reason for the long we are doing it for the right reason for the long term. I think that is what for the long term. I think that is what rishi for the long term. I think that is what rishi has to do today. We have not tot what rishi has to do today. We have not got long what rishi has to do today. We have not got long until what rishi has to do today. We have not got long until the what rishi has to do today. We have not got long until the prime not got long until the Prime Ministers speech. I think Penny Mordaunt is still telling jokes, apparently, to gathered members inside the hall. There she is, Bestriding The Stage ahead of the Prime Minister. My colleague helen catt has been talking to members gathered outside. Thanks, jo. And there are plenty of people who seem pretty keen to hear what rishi sunak has got to say this morning. The queue, you can see, is going quite a long way back around the auditorium. So we will find out, i think, a few reasons why. Excuse me, politics live on the bbc. What are you hoping to hear from rishi sunak this morning . Well, look, rishi has been around at lots of events all week and he has shown so much energy, so i suspect there will be much more energy even today and we are really positive about it. All of us have been queueing for a long time. Why . Because we support him, and we are unified, and we are very energetic, and he is going to do more of that today, and so we are very optimistic about that. What are you wanting to hearfrom him . We willjust ask this gentleman here. What you want to hear in terms of policy . Or do you just want to hear something feel good . What do you want . No, no, not the feel good thing, i want to hear the real substance from rishi. The kind of. You can look at me. Right, so the kind of tough decisions rishi can take, those kind of decisions i am ready to hear from rishi. For example, like Halving Inflation, that is one of the major things that is affecting everyones life, the day to day life of people are affected. Those kind of things i am trying to hear from rishi. And do you want to hear anything new . Because obviously we have heard a lot about Halving Inflation from him. What new you want to hear him say . The new are the things, the tough decisions for example. Those people are afraid to say, so those kind of decisions i would like to hear. For example, yesterday we heard about Immigration Kind of things, which are affecting everyones life. The Public Services are being stretched. So those are tough decisions. Not everyone is ready to talk, so those kind of decisions i would like to hear from rishi as well. Brilliant. Thank you very much. Well, enjoy your queueing, if you can. We are just going to ask a few other people. If we follow down the queue a little bit further, lets see if there is anyone else we can have a chat to. Excuse me, can i have a quick chat . We are from bbc politics live, just trying to find out, what do you want to hear from rishi sunak in his speech