conservative conference 2023

Rishi Sunak has declared himself an enemy of the ‘30-year status quo’. In doing so, he scrapped much of the HS2 rail link and said A-levels would be replaced. Kiran Stacey reports on whether it all adds up. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Rishi Sunak has confirmed the Manchester leg of HS2 will be scrapped and replaced with transport projects in the Midlands and the north. But with the Conservative conference dominated this week by Priti Patel dancing with Nigel Farage, Liz Truss being treated like a rock star and endless tributes to GB News, has the Conservative party been taken over by rightwing populism? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by columnist Gaby Hinsliff. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod