Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen take charge as Brexit talks reach end-game

Cat Neilan
·40 min read
Boris Johnson spoke to Ursula von der Leyen earlier today - Reuters
Boris Johnson spoke to Ursula von der Leyen earlier today - Reuters

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen will hold direct conversations "on a regular basis" in the hope of reaching a compromise on trade talks as the clock ticks down.

It is hoped the pair, who have not spoken since June, will be able to inject some much-needed political momentum as the post-Brexit trade talks enter the end-game, in the run-up to the European Council summit in the middle of this month.

During their scheduled video conference call today the Prime Minister and European Commission president also agreed that negotiators must intensify talks, acknowledging that "significant gaps remained" with just a fortnight left to close them.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "They agreed on the importance of finding an agreement, if at all possible, as a strong basis for a strategic EU-UK relationship in future.

"They endorsed the assessment of both chief negotiators that progress had been made in recent weeks but that significant gaps remained, notably but not only in the areas of fisheries, the level playing field, and governance.

"They instructed their chief negotiators to work intensively in order to try to bridge those gaps," the spokesman said. "They agreed to speak on a regular basis on this issue."

See below for the rest of the day's news

03:58 PM

And that's it for another day....

Ordinarily around this time on the first day of a Conservative party conference some of us might be ready for our first glass of warm white wine and see who we can spot milling around.

But tonight will be rather more sedate, although there are some virtual events happening this evening including a quiz at 7pm for the die-hard among you. Some 54 per cent of you think the online conference is better than nothing - although 27 per cent said it was rubbish.

We've heard from Amanda Milling, Michael Gove, Liz Truss, Steve Barclay and Dominic Raab among others, with the two big topics Global Britain and the Government's commitment to the "Blue Wall" seats.

One eye-catching proposal is to shift departments around the country and open a second Tory HQ in Leeds, both announced as part of the pledge to level-up by basing decision-makers outside Westminster. 

The Treasury minister Mr Barclay also tipped us off to an imminent announcement about airport testing - although given that the summer holiday period is long behind us, it does feel somewhat after the event.  

And with Brexit an ongoing issue, we heard that Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen will now take personal oversight of the talks, speaking regularly in the next few days - despite having not spoken since June. 

That's it from me for today, but the team will be back to bring you more from the party conference tomorrow. 

03:49 PM

'No cause for concern' about President's condition, says doctor

There is "no cause for concern" about the President's condition, his doctor has said. 

Donald Trump has received remdesivir as well as antibiotics since going to hospital, Sean Conley said. 

He is not having any difficulty with breathing, the physician added. 

He declined to give any specifics, including answering questions about whether he had ever been on oxygen. 

"He is not on it now," Dr Conley said. 

"He had a cough, he had a fever, more than anything he felt run down."

The President received his positive test result late on Thursday night, but Dr Conley declined to comment on when they believe he was infected. 

03:42 PM

Donald Trump 'doing very well', says President's doctor

Donald Trump is "doing very well", his doctor has said. 

Sean Conley, who is treating the US President in Walter Reed hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, confirmed that the team was "extremely happy" with his progress. 

His mild cough and fatigue are responding to treatment, he added.

Another member of team said Mr Trump was not receiving oxygen treatment and was in "extremely good spirits". 

He has been "fever-free for 24 hours" and they are "cautiously optimistic" about his prospects. 

03:31 PM

Spitting Image: Lampooning characters who are already patently ludicrous proves mighty hard

Satire is not dead. But in the reanimated corpse of Spitting Image, it’s struggling a bit. That’s not the fault of the programme, but of the times we live in.

It’s far from being a dud. But social media means that everyone is a satirist now; however up-to-the-minute Spitting Image tries to be (and this first episode was hastily re-edited the day before transmission after news broke of Trump testing positive for Covid-19), the best jokes will have been made in an instant on Twitter. 

Read Anita Singh's review of the new political show here and watch the video below to reminisce about the original.

03:18 PM

Freddy Gray: It probably won't kill him but Covid may prove fatal to Donald Trump's re-election

It didn’t take long — seconds, maybe — for the Trump-Covid conspiracy theories to sprout all over the internet.

The most obvious one is that the American president, lagging in the polls and having flopped in the big televised debate on Tuesday night, is malingering in a desperate bid for public sympathy.

But, as Freddy Gray argues, far from helping him Trump's Covid infection is a political disaster for him.

03:08 PM

Further 42 Covid-positive deaths in hospital, says NHS England

A further 42 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 30,138, NHS England said on Saturday.

Patients were aged between 44 and 100 years old. Three patients, aged between 49 and 82, had no underlying health conditions.

The deaths were between August 8 and October 2.

Eight other deaths were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.

03:02 PM

No tunnel - but some intense talking

Intensified talks will begin between Michel Barnier and Lord Frost "as soon as we can next week", the UK's chief negotiator has said. 

However, despite the tunnel-sounding talk of intensifying negotiations, my colleague James Crisp has it on good authority that the teams are still enjoying full sunlight enduring Storm Alex.

02:43 PM

More members of Donald Trump's top team test positive for coronavirus

I am going to turn back to the main story now, which is the growing number of people in Donald Trump's team who have tested positive for coronavirus. 

The President's diagnosis could not have come at a worse time for his re-election hopes. As Rosa Prince argues, this has now turned into exactly what he didn't want: a Covid election.

02:38 PM

Covid 'nearly took the life of our PM', says Dominic Raab

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he feared Boris Johnson could have died after he was admitted to intensive care following his Covid-19 diagnosis in the spring.

Mr Raab stood in for the Prime Minister during his time in intensive care and while recovering.

The First Secretary of State told the virtual Conservative Party conference: "It nearly took the life of our Prime Minister, our friend as well as our leader.

"I get asked a lot how I felt, when I covered for him.

"Well, I really worried we might lose him, and I was worried for Carrie (Symonds), pregnant with baby Wilf.

"But I always had faith that with the outstanding NHS care he received and his fighting spirit, he'd pull through."

02:31 PM

Technical difficulties too, Ursula?

Despite the fact that Ursula von der Leyen yesterday made a point of saying she was going to speak with Boris Johnson on video conference, her team have tweeted a picture of her on a landline:

 Maybe they've been suffering from technical difficulties too...

02:26 PM

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen to 'speak on regular basis' as Brexit end-game nears

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to "speak on a regular basis" as Brexit trade talks near the end-game after the pair spoke via video conference earlier today. 

The Prime Minister and European Commission president have ordered negotiators to "work intensively" in a bid to "bridge the gaps" still remaining between the two sides. 

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

“The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, spoke today about the state of play in the negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU.  “They agreed on the importance of finding an agreement, if at all possible, as a strong basis for a strategic EU-UK relationship in future.  “They endorsed the assessment of both Chief Negotiators that progress had been made in recent weeks but that significant gaps remained, notably but not only in the areas of fisheries, the level playing field, and governance.  “They instructed their Chief Negotiators to work intensively in order to try to bridge those gaps. They agreed to speak on a regular basis on this issue.”  

02:22 PM

Fringe session moved off Conservative party conference site after technical problems

It's a pretty damning indictment of the Conservative party conference's website that the fringe session with City minister John Glen and Bim Afolami has been moved off the site and onto Zoom. 

Zoom, you'll remember, is the platform that Boris Johnson was using when he was trying to persuade MPs not to rebel over the Internal Market Bill. Several backbenchers got in touch to complain that the connection went down and he couldn't be heard - among other things. 

Still, it's an improvement on the main site today. 

02:11 PM

Labour 'can't be trusted to make Global Britain a reality', says Dominic Raab

Dominic Raab then turns to the UK's independent sanctions regime, which has allowed us to impose restrictions on Alexander Luckashenko and the "Kremlin cronies" who tortured Sergei Magnitski. 

"That is Conservative leadership and that is Global Britain," he says. 

The Foreign Secretary then turns to Labour, saying the "can't be trusted to make Global Britain a reality".

He adds: "Jeremy Corbyn may have gone but the instincts that led Labour at election haven't."

The Conservative party has faced "relentless challenges" in recent years but says "adversity has never daunted us". 

He urges the party to "fire up our confidence", saying there is "a summit in our reach". 

02:06 PM

The days of 'being held over a barrel by Brussels are long gone', says Dominic Raab

Liz Truss' interview has overrun, so we have joined Dominic Raab's keynote speech part-way through - even though both were in the same "virtual room". 

Technology issues aside, the Foreign Secretary is talking about the last few months of coronavirus and looking ahead to the opportunities of a Global Britain. 

He says a trade deal with the EU must be fair, "as the days of being held over a barrel by Brussels are long gone". 

"Under the Conservatives, there is no question: our Government will control our fisheries, our Parliament will pass our laws and our courts will judge them."

As "masters of our own destiny" we will forge our own deals, he says, pointing to the Japan deal and others on the horizon which will help "cut the cost of living back here at home". 

Global Britain can also be "a force for good in the world", he says, pointing to the merging of Dfid and the Foreign Office "because we have greater impact when all areas of British foreign policy are all joined up", he says. 

02:03 PM

Labour 'don't have anything to say about trade', says Liz Truss

Labour "don't have anything else to say about trade" beyond "making up myths" about what it will do to the NHS, Liz Truss has said. 

Speaking at the virtual Conservative party conference the International Trade Secretary said it was "amazing how little they have had to say about it", adding "there's a fundamental issue" with the opposition's position "and this is why many voters in the Blue Wall turned against Labour".

However Ms Truss said she would stand firm against "predatory bids" for companies that are struggling during the pandemic, saying: "I am all in favor of an open economy but we need to make sure that, particularly in coronavirus when a lot of companies are undervalued, that we are not allowing predatory bids from states that don't necessarily have Britain's best interest at heart."

She declined to say who she was referring to, although reading between the lines I suspect she meant tech firm Arm.

01:46 PM

Trade deals could help 'revival' of Teesside, Liverpool and Glasgow, says Liz Truss

The next wave of free trade deals present a "real opportunity" to rebuild British manufacturing and traditional ports, Liz Truss has said. 

The International Trade Secretary pointed to cars, ceramics and agricultural products as some of the areas that could benefit, leading to "the revival" of areas such as Teesside, Liverpool and Glasgow, "some of our traditional ports". 

Freeports "can help make it easier to add value without having some of that customs bureaucracy" she added. 

"We need to expose ourselves to the ideas, the talents, the opportunities that being Global Britain means," she says. 

01:40 PM

UK's new trade independence 'will protect us from protectionism'

Britain's belief in free trade comes at an important point, with "increasing trade barriers" being exacerbated by populism and the Covid crisis, Liz Truss has said. 

"That is why we need to be there," the International Trade Secretary says, pointing to both the benefits for British firms and the wider political role the country can play. 

It will "protect us from protectionism", she says.  The big opportunities will come from the Pacific, she adds. Ms Truss is in the midst of discussions to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or the CPTPP, as well as the US.

"We shouldn't have all our eggs in one basket... we need alternative markets to send our products to," she adds. 

Talk then turns to cheese...

01:33 PM

Japan trade deal just the start, says Liz Truss

Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary and minister for women and equalities, is next up on the "main stage" at the Conservative party conference. 

The first question is about the recent trade deal she signed with Japan. 

"This is just the start because we are in a fantastic position as a country," she says. "What we are finding is lots of countries want to do business with Britain. 

"People said we wouldn't get a deal with Japan or it would be worse than the deal the EU had with Japan - but what we've got is actually better."

She points to various British produce that will now benefit, saying it "really demonstrates what Britain can do with an independent trade policy". 

We will have a "cat's cradle" of FTAs, she adds. "People want to hear Britain's voice on that debate and that world stage again."

01:15 PM

Donald Trump Covid timeline: From denial to hospital

Donald Trump  has started undergoing treatment for Covid-19 symptoms after he was flown to hospital as a "precaution" on Friday night. 

The president has a low-grade fever, nasal congestion and a cough, according to two sources close to Mr Trump. 

White House physician Dr Sean P. Conley said that the president had received a first dose of Remdesivir, an intravenous antiviral drug. It comes as a source told CNN that Mr Trump had a fever and was "struggling to breathe".

We take a look back at Potus' turbulent approach towards the virus since it emerged at the start of this year.

12:56 PM

Westminster's week in pictures

Stefan Rousseau is arguably the best political photographer in the lobby, always managing to capture the moment ministers and MPs wished could be forgotten. 

We use several of his pictures on this blog and throughout the pages of the Telegraph. 

He rounds up his week in pictures below. 

12:54 PM

Unionism 'is a fight we can win' says Scottish Tories leader Douglas Ross

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has urged fellow Tories to "pick which side you are on" when it comes to Scottish independence.

He called on the party to turn away from "defeatism and disinterest" around the union, during his speech at the Conservative Party's virtual conference on Saturday.

He said: "The case for separation is now being made more effectively in London than it ever could in Edinburgh.

"Defeatism and disinterest towards the future of the union is rife. Too many treat Scottish independence as a question of when, not if.

"They question why Scottish interests should be put first, if Scotland won't always be around. Many, including some who govern our country, want to see a UK Government focused on England... If you think Scotland's place in the UK isn't worth the fight, then you're in the wrong party." 

He added: "It is time for the whole Conservative Party to rediscover its unionism and get behind us. This is a fight we can win."

Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Tory leader - Reuters

12:50 PM

Middlesbrough mayor says he will 'obey the law' as he attacks 'monstrous' lockdown

The Middlesbrough mayor has said he will "obey the law", days after he threatened to "defy the Government" over new restrictions. 

Andy Preston told Sky News that the local lockdown, which came into force overnight, "are the law, I will obey the law" but described the measures as "monstrous".  

"Yes we do need to hit it hard... here in Middlesbrough Council we are not virus deniers... but what we have to do is allow life to go on. 

"We have got people on the fringe of despair and desperation, and this measure goes too far, it's too harsh."

He claimed there was "no dialogue" with the Government.

12:30 PM

Have your say: Is the virtual conference any good?

Coronavirus has forced this year's Conservative party conference out of the hotels and halls and into an online world - with all the technical difficulties that come with it. 

It will be next to impossible for ministers - even the most charismatic - to create the drama of a good speech, although * cough * Theresa May might have wished her 2017 speech * cough * could have been done in an empty room. 

But does the virtual conference give you the opportunity to hear from ministers without having to drink warm wine while having your ear bent by someone who just won't let you free?

Have your say in the poll below.

12:20 PM

Care Force One: How Donald Trump's Covid treatment will compare to Boris Johnson's

At 74, Donald Trump is not in the ideal shape to deal with coronavirus. The oldest person to be sworn in as President, at 6ft 3in and weighing 17st 6lb, he is officially obese with a BMI of 30.5.

The president was on Friday taken to Walter Reed Military Medical Center where he will be under observation as a "precaution".

Still, he is in the best possible hands, looked after by a massive White House medical team, nicknamed Care Force One – so huge that it puts Boris Johnson's medical care, sorely tested by his own coronavirus infection, to shame. The President has access to 24-hour medical treatment at the White House; the Vice-President, Mike Pence, has a similar level of care at his residence.

 In this article, we consider how Donald Trump's Covid treatment will compare to Boris Johnson's.

12:04 PM

Bring 'Blue Wall' thinking into policy-making, says Lord Agnew

The Government must factor in "Blue Wall" voters to policy-making - or risk losing them at the next election, Lord Agnew has said. 

The peer and minister for efficiency and transformation told the Conservative party conference: "A good policy is one that positively impacts citizens at the point of use.

"The problem is the people responsible for implementing the policies are rarely in the room when they are conceived, and those most dependent on good policies are those who are most vulnerable and needed policing, health, social care  - they can't buy their way out of the problem.

"In our newly formed Blue Wall government, we will ignore that at our peril." 

Michael Gove had already told the virtual event: "I think we need some of the big Government departments and the big decision makers not in London but closer to where the action is in the North West, the West Midlands, Teesside and Tyneside."

It comes as the the Conservative party chairman Amanda Milling unveils plans to open a second Tory headquarters in Leeds. 

11:47 AM

Boris Johnson: Donald Trump will come through Covid 'very well'

The Prime Minister has said he is sure US president Donald Trump will "come through it very well" as he is treated for Covid-19 in hospital.

Boris Johnson said he rang the White House on Friday night and added: "I think obviously everybody's wishing him and Melania the very best and hoping that they recover speedily and I've no doubt that he will, he'll make a very strong recovery."

When asked if he had any advice for Mr Trump, Mr Johnson said: "I think that he will be doing exactly what the doctors tell him to do and I'm sure he will be having the best care he can possibly get."

He added: "I'm sure he'll come through it very well."

11:35 AM

Boris Johnson: We want a deal like Canada's

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he wants to secure a trade deal like that struck between the European Union and Canada.

He told reporters: "I think there's a good deal to be done and everybody knows what we want to do.

"The EU has done a deal with Canada which is a long way away, big country but some way away.

"Here we are, we're the biggest trading partner of the EU, their biggest export market, plus we've been a member for 45 years - we want a deal like Canada's, we want that one!"

He added: "If that's not possible, and that wouldn't be our call that would be their call, then the alternative is to have a deal like Australia which is another big country, further away, but it would work well and we could make it work very well.

"We're resolved on either course, we're prepared for either course and we'll make it work but it's very much up to our friends and partners."

11:28 AM

Michael Gove blames media for playing up confusion over Covid restrictions

Michael Gove has played down suggestions that Government communication during the Covid crisis has been poor, suggesting the media has been making things appear worse than they are. 

The Cabinet Office minister told the virtual party conference that Matt Hancock has been "very good at establishing clear messages at critical moments".

He told Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor, that Boris Johnson is "amazingly gifted communicator", arguing the media "thrive on saying 'oh there's confusion". 

Mr Johnson forgot his own rules earlier this week. 

11:20 AM

Ipswich MP self-isolating after team member tests positive

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt has said he has to self-isolate, after a member of his team tested positive for coronavirus. 

"I currently have no symptoms but will of course be following the guidance," he said.

11:13 AM

Working from home can 'disperse' decision makers beyond London, says Michael Gove

Working from home can boost productivity, improve work-life balance and help spread wealth beyond the confines of London, Michael Gove has said. 

Infrastructure is a "passion" of Boris Johnson that will be how he makes good on his promise to level up the country, the Cabinet minister said. 

The UK has been "held back in the past" by some parts of the country being "overlooked" which is bad for individuals and local economies, as well as the country as a whole. 

Projects will help ensure the "economic spine" of the nation is strengthened, he adds. 

Civil servants working from home can help improve family life and make people more productive because they can focus more on the job in hand, Mr Gove says - a shift in message from Government ministers, who have been emphasising the "fizz" of office life. 

This means that "decision makers can be dispersed... who can live and work and contribute to the life of the communities that they love outside London and some of the major urban areas," he adds. 

11:08 AM

Second Scottish independence referendum 'not in anyone's interest', claims Michael Gove

A second Scottish independence referendum is "not in anyone's interest at all", Michael Gove has said. 

"The Covid crisis has reminded us that we are stronger together and when it comes to the economic response that has helped protect people's livelihoods in Scotland, it has been the Treasury - the great policy-making genius of Rishi Sunak - that has made a difference," he told the virtual party conference. 

"If Scotland were independent, unfortunately, the economic recovery would be much more difficult," Mr Gove said. 

The Cabinet Office minister told West Midlands mayor Andy Street that investment and borrowing were easier with the four nations working together. 

11:03 AM

Government departments must move out of London, Michael Gove hints

There are "far too many government jobs", particularly which "tend to be in the Westminster and Whitehall village", Michael Gove has said. 

The Cabinet Office minister suggested that the Government's so-called "levelling-up" agenda will see departments move out of London.

Speaking to Andy Street at the virtual party conference, he said the country had "an amazing civil service, drawing on resources and people from lots of different communities". 

"We now need to give back to communities as well," he added. ""I think we need some of the big Government departments and the big decision makers not in London but closer to where the action is in the North West, the West Midlands, Teesside and Tyneside."

The Tories are planning to open a new headquarters in Leeds in a bid to deliver for the "blue wall" areas that voted for Boris Johnson at the last election.

11:00 AM

EU must adjust to UK being 'good neighbours rather than uncomfortable lodgers', says Michael Gove

The EU still has not fully adjusted to the UK becoming "good neighbours rather than uncomfortable lodgers", Michael Gove has said. 

The Cabinet Office minister, who has been working on the joint committee for the Withdrawal Agreement as well as no deal preparation, said he was "one of [Lord Frost's] wing men, helping to make sure we get this over the line", adding he was confident a deal could be struck in the remaining time. 

But he pointed to the "very vexed issue of fisheries" as the key outstanding matter, saying there would be "one or two ups and downs on the way" to an agreement. 

"I am optimistic we will get a deal but if we don't we have been making extensive preparations to be ready," he added.

10:44 AM

Amanda Milling: Virtual party conference means you can enjoy chilled white wine for once

Amanda Milling introduces attendees to the party conference, emphasising the benefits of the virtual conference - which include the fact that people will be able to enjoy "chilled white wine" from the comfort of their own home, rather than warm wine in a crowded conference hall. 

She thanks Boris Johnson for the 2019 election victory, and suggests the pandemic has "seen the country come together", which might be news to the rebel MPs who were threatening to block the Coronavirus Act from being renewed this week - or those who abstained from the Internal Market Bill vote before that. 

The party chairman stresses the Government is determined to deliver on the election promises to "build back better" alongside responding to the virus. 

She also reminds everyone that "we got Brexit done". Ms Milling says the Conservatives are only in power because voters in historically Labour seats had put their faith in them to "take this country forward", adding that will not be forgotten. 

Amanda Milling - Paul Grover

10:37 AM

Conservative party conference: Here is what we will be watching

Technical difficulties aside, here are the top items we plan to cover from today's party conference. 

11:30am - Party chairman Amanda Milling is opening the conference

11:45am - Fireside chat with Michael Gove and Andy Street

2:30pm - Interview with Liz Truss

3pm - Keynote speech from Dominic Raab

10:33 AM

Exclusive: Boris Johnson vows to put 'Generation Buy' on the housing ladder

Boris Johnson has promised to create "Generation Buy" with low-deposit mortgages to help get young people onto the housing ladder.

The Prime Minister said he would "fix" the problem of unaffordable deposits that has caused millions of people to put their dreams of home ownership on hold.

Mr Johnson told The Telegraph ahead of the virtual Conservative Party conference that he was determined to press ahead with a "massive domestic agenda" and deliver on manifesto promises, despite the coronavirus crisis.

Gordon Rayner interview with PM Boris Johnson in Downing street - Paul Grover

10:25 AM

Conservative party conference beset by technical difficulties

Are you watching the party conference - or are you having technical difficulties? If it's the latter, you are not alone.

Robert Buckland dropped out of his session just now, after he was unable to hear, although he has since returned. 

My colleague Tony hasn't even managed to get off the start line, and others are also struggling. 

10:10 AM

Government will 'recoup' cost of coronavirus by 'growing the economy', minister insists

The Government will "recoup" the money spent on coronavirus by "growing the economy", Foreign Office minister James Cleverly has said. 

The former Conservative party chairman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that while other parties might have been more willing to put restrictions in place "on the Conservative side, these are things that we would not necessarily want to do but we have to in order to protect people's lives".

He added: "And that means you take actions which you find uncomfortable and I think actually the big difference is that we will look to relieve those restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so."

Responding to reports that tax rises could be used to pay for the Government's Covid spending, Mr Cleverly added: "We have put in a package of support which was absolutely the right thing to do.

"And that will mean that money has to be recouped but we can do that in a way by growing the economy, by helping the economy bounce back better and that's why we have our 'build back better' agenda so we can get our economy back to where it needs to be."

10:00 AM

Have your say: Is the virtual conference any good?

Coronavirus has forced this year's Conservative party conference out of the hotels and halls and into an online world - with all the technical difficulties that come with it. 

It will be next to impossible for ministers - even the most charismatic - to create the drama of a good speech. Although Theresa May might have wished her coughing speech could have been done in an empty room. 

But does the virtual conference give you the opportunity to hear from ministers without having to drink warm wine while having your ear bent by someone who just won't let you free?

Have your say in the poll below.

09:46 AM

Chopper's Politics: I know we’ll be seen as a culture wars Ukip, says Laurence Fox

 Today we have a special episode of Chopper's Politics, taking to actor and founder of a new ‘anti-woke’ political party, Laurence Fox.

In an exclusive, no-holds-barred interview, the actor and leader of the newly-formed ‘Reclaim’ party tells Christopher Hope how he secured 10,000 supporters and a £5 million donation all before next month's launch…

But whose voters is he hoping to poach? All is revealed within. Plus, he tells listeners how becoming an anti-woke figurehead has had a ‘devastating effect’ on his acting career, and shares the unexpectedly touching story behind his two rather imposing new hand tattoos.

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09:27 AM

Getting coronavirus rates down 'key' to celebrating Christmas, says minister

The "key" to being able to celebrate Christmas is for the country to get the rates of coronavirus down, Steve Barclay has said. 

Although Christmas is "some weeks away", he said Government was very focused on the period, including Department for Transport. 

He suggested there could be some local interventions - but in an interview last night the Prime Minister hinted that he wanted to suspend the rule of six for the festive period.

09:22 AM

Will the virtual conference lead to virtual plotting?

Conservative party conferences are always great opportunities for trouble-making.

Three years ago I remember seeing Grant Shapps buzzing around the bars chatting to backbenchers as he sought to build support for what was ultimately his futile rebellion against Theresa May.

He wasn't alone in using the opportunity of late night drinking to plot against the given leader taking the party in a direction that MPs don't like. So Boris Johnson might be somewhat relieved that his backbenchers will only be able to do so remotely. 

Unfortunately for him, it does seem as though some MPs are happy to make their concerns known publicly. 

 Read the article Bob Seely has tweeted here: Boris Johnson’s ‘strongman’ Government is destroying democracy

09:11 AM

Lords should listen to MPs on the Internal Market Bill, former Brexit secretary says

The House of Lords should back the Internal Market Bill (UKIM), a Treasury minister has said. 

Steve Barclay warned peers against voting the controversial bill down, saying they should pay attention to what had happened in the Commons, where MPs "had spoken very clearly".

"What I would point to is the fact that the UKIM was passed with a very large majority in the House of Commons," he said. 

During the Brexit wars of 2019 Mr Barclay said peers had told him "it was really important to listen to the will of the House and to listen to the decision of what the House of Commons was."

"I hope their lordships will be consistent in that, and given the bill has passed with a very large majority then I think the same arguments that they applied when considering the Benn amendment and the Cooper amendment, under the previous prime minister, I think many of those arguments are the same, that one should listen to the voice of the House of Commons, and I think on the Internal Market bill it has spoken very clearly."

The Brexit negotiations are making "good progress" but there are still outstanding issues on key areas including fisheries, he added. 

08:59 AM

Planning algorithm will help 'flush out issues' on building, despite looming rebellion, says minister

The planning algorithm is an opportunity to "flush out the issues" that local MPs might have around further house-building - but the country needs more homes, a Treasury minister has said. 

Steve Barclay was asked about the looming rebellion over the use of yet another controversial algorithm, this time to determine how many houses are built in any particular area. 

The chief secretary to the Treasury said: "We need to build more, we need to build more housing. I can't say as someone who has a house that I am against more housing... but we need to build good-quality housing, in areas that deliver."

He added: "In terms of the party and the algorithm - it's a consultation...  clearly when discussing the algorithm, we need to understand how local factors are weighted and it will allow us to flush out these issues."

Mr Barclay defended the overall use of algorithms - despite widespread criticism of the chaos caused by the exams one during the summer - although stressed ministers must be aware of their "limitations".

Government accused of creating “Soviet-style targets” with planning algorithm

08:52 AM

Government wants to ditch 'endless reports from consultants' on Project Speed

The Government is looking to strip out the red tape and "endless reports from consultants" in a bid to cut the time it takes to get things done under a new initiative called Project Speed. 

Steve Barclay, the chief secretary to the Treasury, told the virtual Conservative party that this project was aimed at any thing that "just takes far too long", from road schemes to building to setting up businesses. 

He said: "We need to take a look at how we speed that up - from the planning laws, over reliance on endless reports from consultants to regulatory constraints. 

"Project Speed is looking across the piece how do we do things better and setting a business up is a good example of that," he added.

08:45 AM

Culture Secretary 'very much prioritising' improved internet connection, says minister

Oliver Dowden is "very much prioritising" improved internet connection, in light of the increased numbers of people working from home, a Treasury minister has said. 

Steve Barclay told the Conservative party conference that he had been discussing a "wider package" with the Culture Secretary in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

"What Covid has highlighted... is the importance of those connections," he added. 

The MP for North East Cambridgeshire said he was particularly "alive" to the fact that his own constituents did not have the best connections and that this was an issue for other rural residents. 

"Is it a focus - yes it is - and it is something I know Oliver Dowden is very much prioritising," he says. 

08:41 AM

Coronavirus lockdowns could be longer than six months, Treasury minister admits

Coronavirus could be with us for longer than six months before a vaccine rides to the rescue, a Treasury minister has warned. 

Steve Barclay, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said the pandemic would be with us for "at least" six months, adding: "It could be longer, we don't know."

But when a vaccine is found, "we need to be at the front of the pack", he added. 

The uncertainty about when the comes means the country must "ensure businesses can operate in a Covid-safe way," he added, and that any lockdowns were introduced as "targeted interventions", he added. 

Matt Hancock will be unveiling a "three tiered approach so can be much more targeted", he noted. 

'Traffic light' system to govern local coronavirus lockdowns in England – what would your area be?

08:36 AM

Tories 'back the NHS absolutely', says Treasury minister

The pandemic has demonstrated how the "Conservative party backs the NHS absolutely", a Treasury minister has said. 

Steve Barclay said  support for the health service announced by Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak throughout the crisis - most recently yesterday - "reinforced" the that the Tories supported the health service, contrary to some of the suggestions made by the Labour party, particularly during last year's General Election. 

"Conservative members can take huge pride in the fact that at its time of need, the Conservative party has stood with the NHS," he told the virtual conference. The Government had "backed it to the hilt", he added. 

Yesterday the Prime Minister published a list of the long-promised 40 new NHS hospitals that will be built by 2030, part of the "unite and level up agenda" that will be refreshed and re-promoted at the conference.

08:32 AM

Government trying to reduce 'real economic scarring' from Covid, says Steve Barclay

The Government is trying to reduce the amount of time people are unemployed for, as well as the number of jobs lost overall, a Treasury minister has said. 

Steve Barclay told the Conservative party conference that furlough could not be extended because there was no sense of where it would end. 

"Does that mean extending furlough until there is a vaccine? Well for HIV we don't have a vaccine... [or] they would say targeted - well, targeted to which sectors? And what about the supply chain - are you going to support those businesses as well?"

"The furlough was an initial response to retain that link between employee and business, so businesses can bounce back [but] as the virus is going to be around for longer than we initially feared it is right for the taxpayer... and the employee as well," to move onto the "second phase".  

"If you are out of the workplace for very long time that is not good, so we are trying to not just mitigate how many people are unemployed but how long they are unemployed for."

"That is what has the real economic scarring. That is the strategy behind what we are doing."

08:21 AM

Tories to announce new Leeds headquarters following 'blue wall' election success

The Tories will open a new headquarters in Leeds in a bid to deliver for the "blue wall" areas that voted for Boris Johnson at the last election, the party's virtual conference will be told.

A host of seats across the north of England, Midlands and parts of Wales voted Conservative, some of them for the first time in their history, at the 2019 general election, giving the Prime Minister a landslide victory.

Amanda Milling, co-chair of the party, is set to open the Tory conference on Saturday with the announcement that staff will be moved to Leeds in order to focus attention on the region.

"We are determined to show our commitment to the blue wall seats," Ms Milling is expected to say.

"That's why I am thrilled to announce that CCHQ (Conservative Campaign HQ) will be opening a headquarters in Leeds. This new headquarters will provide the party with a base at the heart of the blue wall because we're in it for the long haul.

"We're determined to make the blue wall part of the fabric of our party and our country. The best way we can deliver for people there is to be there."

The party said it was aiming to have the headquarters open next year.

Its current base is in Matthew Parker Street, located close to Westminster.

Ms Milling is set to add: "Leeds is a key part of our plan to build back better for the people of this country and building a campaign presence there reinforces our commitment to that task."

08:20 AM

Steve Barclay: Parliament should have more of a voice on lockdown decisions

The Government agrees with Sir Graham Brady that Parliament should have more of a voice, Steve Barclay has said. 

Speaking at the Conservative party conference, the Treasury minister said it was "important parliament has a voice" but suggested ministers would never be able to please everyone. 

"One lobby group will say we are moving too fast, another will say we are moving too slow," he notes. "But it is important that Parliament has a voice and the PM has been clear on that."

Asked about the prospect of a second lockdown, he rolls out the usual line about not wanting to have it, but not ruling it out. 

'Scrutiny is meant to be inconvenient': How rebels won their battle for lockdown votes

08:15 AM

Steve Barclay: Airport testing a 'key priority' for Government

Steve Barclay does not give any detail of what this airport testing announcement could be, but he does highlight the programmes that are in place in other parts of the world. 

He also hints there may be a two-pronged strategy, suggesting that business travellers will have different needs to tourists. 

"There are a number of issues within the wider question of testing," he says. "We are acutely aware, both in Treasury and across Government, that this is a key issue with sector and I hope the Government will be in position to say more about this in the coming days."

He adds it is a "very live" issue and "we absolutely hear the industry". It is a "key priority", he adds. 

08:10 AM

Airport testing announcement to be made in 'coming days' says Treasury minister

Good morning from the first virtual Conservative party conference.  Outside might be grim but in the virtual world the sun never sets.... or maybe that's just conference life. 

Steve Barclay has started his chat with Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye, who has urged the Government to help make Global Britain a reality by ensuring the airport builds on its role as a hub for international travel. 

He also raised testing, something he has been pleading with the Government to introduce for months. 

The Treasury minister says they recognise the "strategic" importance of the airport. 

He turns to testing, which he says is a "key priority". Mr Barclay also confirms that Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, and Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, to make an announcement on this "in the coming days". 

The conference is off to a strong start already.