Conservative Party Conference begins in Birmingham
The annual gathering is being held at the ICC
The Conservative Party Conference begins in Birmingham city centre today, with the focus on the four candidates bidding to become the next leader.
The four-day event is being held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), with hundreds of members, supporters and MPs gathering.
As well as setting out the party's policies and direction, attention will fall on the leadership race.
Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat will all be making speeches as they pitch to take over from Rishi Sunak.
West Midlands Police said armed officers and high-visibility patrols would be seen across the city, with access to the conference restricted to those who had registered.
As part of security measures, airspace restrictions will also be in place stopping drones or aircraft flying below 4,500ft within a one-mile radius of the ICC, without permission
Chief Superintendent Sarah Burton, who is leading the operation, said: “We're proud to be working alongside our partners to deliver a safe and secure event in Birmingham.
"We are aware there will be some disruption caused as people move through the city, but this has been done to balance the needs of the public right of way with the need for a secure conference site.
Birmingham last hosted the Conservative Party Conference in 2022.