By Natasha Clark

Tory conference has been a heady mix of depression, delusion and despondency this autumn - and it’s a bit of a weird vibe.

Now 11 months on from the election of Kemi Badenoch, things have got worse for the party, not better.

And pollsters have told me they think the party has even further support to hand to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

But I was surprised by what MPs, members, activists and businesspeople told me at this year’s gathering.

First - that yes the Tories may be down, but many don’t think they are out forever.

One of the most successful parties in British history looks in extinction territory, but the core party here in Manchester are in this for the long haul.

While the polls are dire and the leader is by all metrics failing to cut through with the public, I was struck by how many people still believe there is a way back for the party.

With an unpopular Prime Minister and a Reform leader many people feel uncomfortable about putting into government, MPs feel Badenoch has at least started the process of setting out a direction for the party that could - eventually - lead them back to power.

And there have been a few small wins this........

© LBC