Conservatives bring their conference to Birmingham next week

The Conservative Party will hold its annual conference in Birmingham next week, bringing thousands of politicians, members, journalists, lobbyists and campaigners to the city centre.

The conference runs from Sunday 4 to Wednesday 7 October at the International Convention Centre on Broad Street and Centenary Square.

A regular visitor

Birmingham and Manchester have taken turns to host the Conservative conference for most of the past two decades. The party last met in Birmingham in 2024 and in Manchester last year.

It will be the first Conservative conference since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, and comes a week after Labour's conference in Liverpool. The opposition will be keen to set out its response to the new Government ahead of the Budget later in the autumn.

What to expect in the city

As at previous conferences, a secure zone is expected around the ICC, with road closures, restrictions on parking and a visible police presence. Access to the conference zone itself is limited to people with passes.

People travelling through the city centre, especially around Broad Street, Centenary Square and Paradise, should allow extra time and check for travel updates. Protests often take place outside the venue during party conferences.

A boost for business

Party conferences bring a large number of overnight visitors, and hotels, restaurants and bars in the city centre usually see a busy week. The city's Convention Bureau has handled accommodation bookings for delegates.

Hundreds of fringe events will be held around the ICC and in nearby hotels, run by think tanks, charities, businesses and campaign groups.

Local politics

The Conservatives have 16 of the 101 seats on Birmingham City Council after May's elections, and they are in opposition to the minority administration of Liberal Democrats, Greens and independent councillors. The regional mayoralty was held by the Conservative Andy Street until 2024, when Labour's Richard Parker won it.

Watching from home

Main speeches from the conference hall are usually broadcast live on the BBC Parliament channel and on news websites.