Theresa May sets out post-Brexit blueprint amid growing storm of Tory racism claims

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Theresa May tells public to 'come with me and seize the day'

Theresa May is to make her first speech as Conservative leader at the party's annual conference. Here are the latest updates:

• 'Don't call me racist': Rudd defends immigration speech
• May to target liberal elite on conference speech
• May criticised over comments on foreign doctors
• Comment: Curbs on foreign workers will only harm the economy
• Analysis: The 'Rasputin' figure behind the PM's grip on power

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The Prime Minister is expected to use her debut to draw a clear line under the era of her predecessor David Cameron by declaring her determination to reposition the party on “the new centre ground of British politics”.

Denouncing Jeremy Corbyn's Labour for a “sanctimonious pretence of moral superiority”, Mrs May will state her intention for the Tories to usurp its traditional position as the party of “ordinary working-class people”, the NHS and public servants.

But she will also distance herself from the small-state politics of earlier Tory leaders like Margaret Thatcher by insisting that government can be “a force for good”, providing benefits for society that individuals, communities and the market cannot.

Concluding a four-day conference in Birmingham which has been dominated by Brexit, Mrs May will seek to turn attention away from Europe towards her broader vision of the economic and social reforms needed to deliver on her slogan of A Country That Works For Everyone.

But she will also set her face against what she terms the “libertarian right” in her own party, which sees the private sector, free markets and competition as the solution to all problems.

Stating her willingness to intervene in response to market failures, Mrs May will firmly nail her colours to the mast of active government.

“That's what government's about: action,” she will say. “It's about doing something, not being someone. About identifying injustices, finding solutions, driving change. Taking, not shirking, the big decisions. Having the courage to see things through.”

Conservative aides pointed to a string of policies announced at the Birmingham gathering which they said were designed to help ordinary working-class people, ranging from a review of employment practices and a consultation on immigration to the creation of “opportunity areas” in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, a £5 billion house-building package, a promise to protect workers' rights following Brexit and a £140 million fund to help communities deal with the pressure of migrants.

[5 October 2016 11:17 · Jon Stone]

There are rumours of a big announcement during Theresa May's speech, possibly relating to energy prices.

Ed Miliband, who was attacked for freezing energy prices, has weighed in rather sardonically...

[5 October 2016 11:41 · Jon Stone]

Ruth Davidson has finished speaking, and we're expecting Theresa May to take to the stage in five minutes. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis.

[5 October 2016 12:31 · Jon Stone]

A society that works for everyone is a society based on fairness and only genuine social reform can deliver it ... it means helping more people on the housing ladder, making sure that every child has a good school place. 

[5 October 2016 12:32 · Jon Stone]

[5 October 2016 12:32 · Jon Stone]

Theresa May is now talking about her achievements as Home Secretary

[5 October 2016 12:34 · Jon Stone]

Theresa May says she has plans to "transform Britain into a great meritocracy".

[5 October 2016 12:34 · Jon Stone]

[5 October 2016 13:10 · Jon Stone]

Labour has responded to Theresa May's speech. Jon Ashworth says the PM's vision for the future is "small, mean and nasty".

“This should have been the conference where Theresa May outlined a detailed plan to secure British jobs and prosperity in face of Brexit. She failed that test. Instead we have seen divisive offensive wedge politics and a drive into a ‘hard Brexit’ that risks jobs and growth.

“Instead of promoting our HE sector the Tories want to make it more difficult for students to study here; instead of celebrating the contribution of doctors and NHS staff who save the lives of British people, the Tories want them to pack their bags; and instead of introducing measures to prevent exploitation in the labour market the Tories want to force companies to publish list of foreign workers. It’s not a considered approach to employment policy, its crass offensive politics. It seems Theresa May’s Tories are still the same old Nasty Party.

“Theresa May was heavy on rhetoric about being on the side of ‘fairness’ and ‘opportunity’ but it’s all we got was more of the same failed Tory approach which has seen the slowest economic recovery since 1920 , tax breaks for the top while VAT goes up for the rest, tuition fees trebled, 19,000 Police axed and an NHS in crisis with patients waiting longer and hospitals in financial meltdown.

“She talked about building a “great meritocracy” but their only answer is a leap backwards to the bad old days, promoting grammar schools which benefit only a few, while the many suffer under the Tory teacher crisis which is pushing thousands of children into over-sized classes.

“Where we did see shifts it was appropriating Labour policies. She talked about workers on boards, limited action to deal with energy prices and has abandoned the surplus target which we consistently warned would not be met. Labour will be watching closely to ensure these aren’t just more empty promises from a Prime Minister who has left the British economy with no fiscal framework and is pressing ahead with cuts to in-work benefits, and local authority funding. That’s not on the side of ordinary working class people it’s the same old Tories helping just the privileged few.

“This week was about Theresa May finally outlining her vision. It’s now clear what that vision is not optimistic about the future but small, mean and nasty. This is not a shift to the centre ground but a shift to the right.”