Upon their arrival at Conservative Party conference, delegates were greeted by thousands of protestors, many adorning pig-shaped masks and anti-austerity placards. The Tories were not welcome in Manchester, protestors chanted.
The march, led by the TUC, brought 60,000 people to the streets of Manchester, in direct opposition towards Government policy on welfare, trade unions, and health.
As the streets bulged with activists, unionists and anarchists, the Conservative Party unveiled its first conference, as the sole party in power, for 23 years. Many keen observers anticipated a conference characterised by triumphalist sentiment and buoyant charm.
Yet it became clear that the protests outside, including a small group of anarchists turning to tactics of intimidation, had overshadowed discussion held between politicos, parliamentarians and party members. The largest conference demonstration for many years, it almost certainly had a palpable impact on delegates in the so-called security “ring of steel”.
There was, from the inside the security fortress, a markedly tense atmosphere, with many delegates exchanging war-stories and tales of being faced with chants of “Tory scum” upon entering the security gates.
Nevertheless, in stark contrast to an intimidating entrance, delegates were bombarded with an overtly slick, new deep blue party maxim: “Security. Stability. Opportunity.” Those three words dominate that side of the steel wall, as the Conservative Party’s communication and branding strategy continued to centre on simple messaging.
Whether on the walls or miniature flags handed to party members – this new maxim is designed to encapsulate the simple message and tone at conference, and something that David Cameron will attempt to deliver.
On “security”, the theme positions the Conservatives in direct opposition to Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn and his party’s Trident dilemma – a position yet to be concretely defined, but one that has already established dividing lines amongst frontbenchers.
At conference, “stability” is set to be continually wedded to the Conservative Party’s economic strategy. George Osborne is eagerly re-defining the party’s appeal and raison d'être towards “working people” and “opportunity” and embodies the modernisation of compassionate conservatism. It’s also a chance for the Chancellor to capitalise on questions over who will ultimately succeed David Cameron.
Mr Osborne, ConservativeHome reports, is the clear front-runner in the race for the premiership, and with the announcement that Lord Adonis has resigned the Labour whip to lead a National Infrastructure Commission, the Conference is already shaping up to be centred on the Chancellor’s Osborne’s pronouncements.
Moreover, conference has provided the perfect platform for further announcements that will fuel Mr Osborne’s rise, such as Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughin’s appearance at the reopening of the revamped Manchester Victoria station on Tuesday.
As we look to the rest of conference, many commentators suggest that debate over Britain’s membership in the EU will consume mood in the fringe meetings, whilst others have reported on the continued references to Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, cast by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond as a “threat” to national security.
Protests may have dampened the initial mood at conference, but expect the Conservatives’ new “Security. Stability. Opportunity” mantra to dominate the coming days.
DeHavilland has covered hundreds of fringe events and main speeches at the four main party conferences. Order a copy of their comprehensive conference briefing online here.
Author:
Jasmine Mitchell
Research Assistant
@DeHavilland