Conservative Party Conference: Bournemouth Blues
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.GOOD DAY
William Hague: He won a standing ovation after attempting to prove during his speech that he was not the leader of an "ex-party"
BAD DAY
Tory Party unity over the single currency: Divisions were ever present when the MEP James Moorhouse defected to the Liberal Democrats over Mr Hague's stance on the issue
REBEL OF THE DAY
A conference steward who refused to let representatives into the hall just before Mr Hague's speech, saying: "I have even just turned away Sir Leon Brittan."
SOUNDBITE OF THE DAY
Mr Hague: "You know the best thing about my job? Wednesday, 3pm - Prime Minister's Questions. The most disppointing thing about my job? Prime Minister's answers."
BEST FRINGE MEETING
The Conservative Political Forum, where Michael Portillo made plenty of progress towards his return to the Commons when he announced that Mr Blair was to Mrs Thatcher as Bjorn Again is to Abba
BEST PARTY
Glamour and Tory splendour on the conference's last night at the Phoenix Ball in the Carlton Hotel
CLAPOMETER
William Hague, hand-in-hand with wife Ffion, topped clapometer levels with a standing ovation lasting 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
Michael Ancram, the new party chairman, gained an 80-second ovation, with 90 decibels, when he spoke out against electoral reform.
TODAY'S BUSINESS
Debates: Debate on the countryside, with speeches by agriculture spokesman Tim Yeo and environment spokeswoman Gillian Shephard
Speeches: Address by the deputy leader, Peter Lilley; closing speech by the new party chairman Michael Ancram; traditional closing session with union flags and patriotic songs, such as "Land of Hope and Glory" with the Bournemouth Youth Orchestra
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments