Margaret Thatcher remembered at Conservative Party Conference 2024 in Birmingham with special mugs

A host of issues are being debated at the Conservative Party Conference which is running at the ICC in Birmingham until Wednesday, October 2.

This afternoon (Sunday, September 29) former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the conference that the Conservatives should “learn the lessons” of their general election defeat and “reflect” on their time in government as their conference gets under way.

Mr Sunak described this year as a “difficult one” for the party as “too many good Conservatives have lost their seats”, in a piece for The House magazine.

He said he “will always be sorry” that “he could not deliver the results that everyone’s efforts deserved”, in the article at the start of his final conference as leader.

The contest to replace Mr Sunak will feature prominently at the gathering in Birmingham as Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly are all vying for the leadership.

Margaret Thatcher merchandise on sale at Conservative Party Conference

Meanwhile another Conservative leader is being remembered at the conference in a host of merchandise being made available to delegates.

A series of Margaret Thatcher mugs are available - there’s a regular coffee mug style featuring the 1980s Prime Minister’s famous slogan: ‘You turn if you want to’.

Delegates can also purchase a Margaret Thatcher Toby jug, priced at £28.95.

Other merchandise on sale includes tubes of Tugend-Tan, for supporters of Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly water bottles emblazoned with the slogan: ‘No leaks here’.

Travel restrictions and heightened security in Birmingham

Travel restrictions are in place along parts of Broad Street during the event with tram and bus stops being altered. Armed police are also being deployed around the venue for security. You can read the full details here: Conservative Party Conference travel restrictions and security in Birmingham