Good morning. Kemi Badenoch is doing a round of interviews this morning at the Conservative conference in Manchester, and she is likely to be asked about polling out yesterday suggesting half of party members do not think she will lead the party into the next election. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, came top when YouGov asked members who they would vote for if there is another contest, but not overwhelmingly. Jenrick, who gives his speech in the conference hall today, was on 37%, and YouGov only asked about three other alternatives (Boris Johnson, James Cleverly and Priti Patel).
Here is the agenda for the day.
7.30am: Kemi Badenoch is interviewed on BBC Breakfast. She is also on Times Radio at 7.45am, the Today programme at 8.10am, Good Morning Britain at 8.25am and LBC at 8.45am.
10am: Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, speaks at the conference, followed by Stuart Andrew, the shadow health secretary, at 10.25am.
10.50am: Members have a debate on the meaning of sex.
11.15am: Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, speaks to the conference.
11.40am: Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, speaks.
1pm: Jenrick takes part in a fringe Q&A organised by the Daily Telegraph.
2pm: James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, speaks to the conference, followed by Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, at 2.25pm.
2.50pm: Tony Abbott, the former Australian PM, holds a Q&A in the conference hall with Patel.
3.30pm: Michael Heseltine, the former deputy PM, speaks at a fringe meeting on Europe.
Afternoon: Keir Starmer leaves London for a trip to India.
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