Suella Braverman news – live: Home secretary warns Tories to stop infighting amid rift reports

Downing Street earlier denied a rift between Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak

Braverman’s speech interrupted by protesters at National Conservatism conference

Setting out her vision for conservatism at a right-wing conference in central London, Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned the Conservative Party to stop infighting.

Amid reports of fresh rifts in the cabinet, Ms Braverman told the audience at the National Conservatism conference: “One way that we Conservatives must distinguish ourselves from the Left is by not devouring ourselves through fratricide.”

Ms Braverman, who unsuccessfully ran as Conservative Party leader last year, added that she was “optimistic about the future of conservatism, our great nation and of Western civilisation”.

Earlier, Downing Street was forced to deny a rift between Ms Braverman and Rishi Sunak amid reports she would push the PM to bring down overall migration.

Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said: “She continues to represent the UK government views on all issues relating to the Home Office, as you would expect.”

Ms Braverman also attacked left-wing politics, saying it was “making people feel terrible about our past”.

Key Points

• Braverman heckled by XR protester
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• Zelensky in surprise trip to UK
• Home secretary to pressure PM on overall immigration numbers
• Braverman and Rees-Mogg to speak at National Conservativism Conference

[15 May 2023 09:13 · Matt Mathers]

Britain needs to train up HGV drivers and fruit pickers to boost economy

More Britons should be trained as HGV drivers, fruit pickers and butchers so the UK does not have to rely on foreign workers to fill jobs, Suella Braverman will tell a Conservative conference on Monday.

Some of the home secretary’s cabinet colleagues have called for post-Brexit visa rules to be relaxed in a bid to boost the economy.

She is expected to tell the conference: “I voted and campaigned for Brexit because I wanted Britain to control migration. So that we all have a say on what works for our country.

Dominic McGrath reports:

[15 May 2023 09:12 · Matt Mathers]

Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s live politics coverage.

Today we’ll be covering the National Conservativism Conference, President Zelenky’s visit to the UK and all the latest from Westminster and elsewhere.

Stay tuned for updates.