What is happening to the annual political party conference season?

Ashley Cowburn runs down what the main parties will offer online as the virus rules out live events

Boris Johnson’s first Conservative conference as PM in 2019 (Getty)

Two weeks after the return of parliament following the long summer recess, MPs, journalists, party members and lobbyists usually decamp from Westminster and congregate in characterless conference halls in seaside towns and city centres across the UK.

But like many things in 2020 the “in person” political party conference season has been cancelled for the first time in recent history due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s hardly comparable to Glastonbury being axed, but for leaders it’s an essential event in the political calendar to set out their stall for the coming year and hobnob with the party faithful alongside a selection of canapes and warm white wines.

Political obsessives fear not, however, as the vast majority of parties are planning to hold “virtual” events through everyone’s new favourite medium, Zoom.

The Liberal Democrats still appear to be offering a full line-up of conference speeches between 25-28 September, including a keynote address from the party’s new leader, who will be unveiled in just two weeks’ time.

“At the touch of a button, you can access the auditorium for key speeches, policy debates and emergency motions,” the party said in a recent email to members offering complimentary tickets. “As a delegate, you’ll be able to visit the exhibition booths and chat online with other businesses, charities, party bodies and sister political parties.”

Running from 19-22 September, Labour also intends to ask its members to participate virtually. It will be the first opportunity for Sir Keir Starmer to address party members in a keynote speech. After succeeding Jeremy Corbyn in April, he was forced to pre-record a video from the confines of his north London home during the height of lockdown.

Also expect virtual speeches from the new shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, and deputy leader Angela Rayner. “From your home you can see inspiring speeches and take part in invaluable training, hear from key figures in our movement at panels and rallies, join in the debate at policy discussions and connect with a range of businesses, charities, think tanks and trade unions in our virtual expo,” the party’s general secretary, David Evans, boasted.

Boris Johnson’s Conservatives are yet to announce a line-up for their virtual conference, but the party’s chair, Amanda Milling, has promised a full agenda in early September. Unlike Labour and the Liberal Democrats, however, the Conservative Party lacks a constitution and there is no voting on official party policy.

Letters fall off the backdrop as Theresa May speaks during the Tory conference in 2017 (Getty)

But if Zoom events aren’t quite to your taste, BBC Parliament could save the day and stream the previous political party conferences. There will be no great difficulty in finding highlights.

Theresa May’s infamous speech to the Conservative Party conference, where pretty much all that could go wrong did go wrong, springs to mind. Reminder: the prime minister was handed a P45 by a prankster, interrupted by her own persistent cough, and the wording on the stage collapsed behind her as she finally arrived at her concluding remarks.