. I find this apparent lack of care puzzling. In our media-obsessed age, the timing of a political party's one moment of prolonged, guaranteed coverage should be a matter of first importance. Yet no one in the hierarchy seems to 'own' this question. It is one of the biggest changes I have noticed since I started to cover politics in 1979 that the Tory 'machine', so dominant then, is now so weak. The 'voluntary party', as it was known, had a strong life and culture of its own and a vast mass membership to match. It arranged most of its business, including the annual conference, and the party leader had to treat it with a certain respect. Now it is a sort of ghost. Opportunities in Africa It has b){kind=link}
The Tory machine is showing its weakness
Why have the Conservatives allowed the chronology of their party conference to be changed this year? Until now, the Tories have been the last in the annual sequence. The Liberal Democrats have come first, then Labour, then Conservatives. This has contributed to a feeling that the order of the dates represents a rising scale of power. This year, however, Labour will round off the season. You can be sure Sir Keir Starmer will take advantage of his moment next week to wrap himself in a statesman’s mantle.
There is certainly rhetorical advantage in coming last. How many Tory conference speeches have I heard containing phrases like: “Last week, in Brighton, the ‘brothers’ told us they wanted to renationalise British industry [or whatever].” It is easier to mock opponents after they have said something than it is by guessing what they might say next.
Coming at the end works particularly well when the party is in government. It then gets the last word before the autumn return of Parliament.
I have been trying to find out why Labour was allowed to swap dates. No one seems very clear. People tell me it is “all 10 Downing Street’s fault”. Those close to 10 Downing Street mutter about it being “all Boris’s fault” (a convenient explanation given for virtually everything at present).