How they cheered. The Tory faithful loved it as their leader-in-waiting, Robert Jenrick, delivered a conference speech that was aimed at raising morale - and his own leadership prospects.

And he did his hopes of succeeding Kemi Badenoch no harm at all with a barnstorming performance that was animated, energetic, witty and powerful. In fact, it was a leader's speech in all but name.

The hall, half empty for nearly all the shadow cabinet minsters' speeches so far this week, was almost full for "Bobby J". He may have lost the leadership election last year, but he's the undisputed darling of the activists now and ready to step in at a moment's notice.

Mr Jenrick's day had started badly, however, with a row over a leaked recording in which he said he "didn't see another white face" in Handsw

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