Conservative conference opens in Birmingham with economy-focused pitch

Kemi Badenoch addresses the Conservative conference in Birmingham as the party positions itself on economic grounds against Labour and Reform UK.

• The Conservative conference convened in Birmingham under the slogan "Stronger economy, stronger country."
• Badenoch pledged Conservative support for the pensions triple-lock in its current form, resisting Andy Burnham's plan to end it from 2030.
• Badenoch told her team to prepare for the conference as if it were the last before a general election, predicting Burnham will call one within a year.
• Shadow cabinet member Neil O'Brien has begun drafting a manifesto intended to be more concise than the party's usual offerings.