A snap of the moment Mel Stride went on stage to deliver his keynote conference speech

The number of delegates attending key events at the Conservative Party conference seems to be depressingly low, judging by photos of the main hall.

It’s the party’s first annual gathering since Kemi Badenoch won the leadership contest last November and the atmosphere appears to be particularly flat.

While it’s not too surprising – considering the Tories’ historic loss at the 2024 general election and how they are currently polling at just 16% according to YouGov – it’s a bleak reminder of just how much has changed for the party who were in government only 15 months ago.

Sky News’ Amanda Akass noted that it was “not exactly a packed hall” for the shadow chancellor Mel Stride’s speech today – and attached a photo of a room which appeared to be about two-thirds empty.

Not exactly a packed hall for Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride’s big speech at #ConservativePartyConference@SkyNewspic.twitter.com/YS8Y6PkU6H

Tory Conference.

This is how far they've fallen.

Mel Strides speech as Shadow Chancellor should have been packed.

The reality is.

There were more people in Gala Bingo just around the corner. pic.twitter.com/w1kNBBAAuu

A few seats are still available for the shadow chancellor’s remaking of Tory fiscal policy pic.twitter.com/n2B2HkymVb

This is what it looks like when a party dies. The Tories can’t go on like this. https://t.co/vPxmH5JyiS