Conservative Party conference latest updates: Kemi Badenoch to face Tory members after row over maternity pay remarks overshadows first day in Birmingham

The Tory leadership contest will not be speeded up so the winner can respond to the Budget on October 30, the party chair insisted today.

Richard Fuller bluntly ruled out the move despite alarm at the prospect of Rishi Sunak still being in charge for the crucial Labour set piece.

All four contenders have signalled they are open to bringing the finishing date forward from November 2, with the fiscal statement seen as a major opportunity for the new leader to put themselves in the public eye.

Richard Fuller, the chairman of the Conservatives, has toured the broadcast studios this morning for the Conservatives ahead of the second day of the party conference in Birmingham.

During his interviews, Mr Fuller insisted there will be no change to the timeline of the Tory leadership race to allow a new leader to be in place before the autumn budget.

He also said clarifying a position showed ‘maturity’ and responded to Nigel Farage’s criticism of the leadership contenders.

Here are the key takeaways from his appearance on the morning round.

• Mr Fuller told BBC Breakfast there would be ‘no change’ to the leadership timeline after candidates appeared to suggest Rishi Sunak’s successor should be in place to respond to the budget next month
• Asked about Kemi Badenoch’s remarks on maternity pay, Mr Fuller said clarifying a position is a “sign of maturity” and denied the contest was exposing deep divisions in the party
• Mr Fuller responded to criticism of the party leadership candidates by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and said the Tories do not have to move to the right to regain vote share from Reform
• He also urged the leadership contestants to ‘stop and think’ and unite behind whoever wins the contest

Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat will face Conservative members this afternoon with rivals James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick expected to take the stage tomorrow.

Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt and former prime minister Liz Truss are also expected to address delegate in Birmingham on Monday.

Main hall events include:

• 9.30am – Jeremy Hunt speech
• 2.10pm – Q&A with Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat

• 9.50am – How to save the NHS, Victoria Atkins
• 10.30am – Conservative Women’s Organisation in conversation with Robert Jenrick followed by Kemi Badenoch
• 11am – ERG: the future of the Conservative Party with Robert Jenrick and Mark Francois
• 12:30pm – Liz Truss in conversation with Tim Stanley
• 2pm – Conservative Women’s Organisation in conversation with James Cleverly

Firstly, let’s take a look at the state of the leadership contest with a report by the Daily Mail’s Whitehall Editor

Robert Jenrick is closing the gap with Kemi Badenoch in the Conservative leadership race, a poll of Tory members shows.

The former immigration minister is up seven points to 25 per cent, according to ConservativeHome.

Shadow housing secretary Ms Badenoch remains in the lead at 36 per cent, up two points, in the bellwether survey.

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.

Today is the second day of the conference with the opening day dominated by Kemi Badenoch’s apparent suggestion that maternity pay had ‘gone too far’.

Ms Badenoch, one of four leadership contenders, will be hoping to make a good impression today when she faces questions from Tory members alongside her rival Tom Tugendhat.

James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick will appear before members on Tuesday.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest coverage from Birmingham with our political team on the ground.