Chris Grayling says the next big reform challenge for his department is mental health. He says far too many people with acute mental health conditions end up in prisons, and self harm or take their own lives. He tells the hall that a future Tory government would set up specialist centres in prisons to focus on mental health needs.

In case the Twitter comment by Lib Dem MP Jeremy Browne (two entries ago) makes no sense, he was referring to Environment Secretary Liz Truss's speech on Monday, in which she said it was a "disgrace" that "we import two-thirds of our apples, nine-tenths of our pears, and two-thirds of our cheese".

Brian Wheeler, political reporter

Ken Clarke was on fine form at a Bright Blue drinks party last night (it's a new Tory think tank). Bashing UKIP (a party for "grumpy old men who have been disappointed by life") and urging the Tory leadership not to rush into anything on English votes for English MPs. The key to winning the next election, reckoned the veteran Europhile, was to get serious and "grown-up" with voters. "One thing we don't do, we imitate UKIP, we don't actually explain why we think it's rather a nasty organisation and its basic case is folly," added the veteran bruiser.

Image source, PA

tweets:, external Why do the Conservatives think it's "a disgrace" that we import French cheese from France and Italian cheese from Italy?!

Chris Grayling says a future Conservative government would introduce a victims' law "to set victims' rights in statute".

Chris Grayling says the prisons regime has been toughened under his watch, so that they no longer look "like holiday camps". But it is not enough to just be tough, he says, and stresses the importance of prisoner rehabilitation. "Tough but compassionate" is the Conservative approach, he adds.

Chris Grayling says the government is introducing a single point of contact for victims of crime, so they can find out what help is available to them.

The justice secretary tells conference that the sentence for weapons trading offences is going up from 14 years to life.

tweets:, external Jeremy Hunt to recruit 5,000 more GPs to meet PM pledge of 7 days a week access for patients #cpc14

Chris Grayling says the Conservatives have improved the justice system to ensure it is in favour of the "honest, law-abiding society and that the law is "on your side".

Brian Wheeler. political reporter

UKIP parliamentary candidate Graham Short says he is just "trying to cheer up" Conservative members as they arrive at the conference centre. "Why don't you save your breath?" said one grumpy activist queuing up at the security tent. Obviously working then...

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling receives a round of applause as he takes to the stage to address delegates. He opens with an attack on Labour's record in power, leaving communities "blighted" by anti-social behaviour and victims "let down" by the justice system.

Conference proceedings are now under way, as activists turn their attention to home and affairs and justice matters. The hall is looking pretty full already.

tweets:, external On rumours he's about to defect, Jacob Rees-Mogg tells me: "Don't be so bloody ridiculous".

In other defection news, former Tory MP Mark Reckless - who announced his intention to join UKIP on Saturday - has officially stepped down from the Commons today. He was appointed by the chancellor to the Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern - the formal mechanism via which a Member of Parliament stands down, as technically they can only resign if they are given a Crown appointment. Mr Reckless will stand for election as UKIP's candidate in the Rochester and Strood by-election prompted by his defection.

At the local English council elections in May, former London deputy mayor Richard Barnes - who has moved to UKIP - stood as an independent candidate against the Conservatives and UKIP in Harefield ward, in the London borough of Hillingdon. He was beaten by both, coming fourth.

tweets:, external Protecting wealthy pensioners may be good politics for PM on #R4Today while squeezing lowest-paid, but it isn't "we're all in this together"

Annabel in Plymouth: I am an 80-year old who should have had a named GP since April. The practice finally wrote in July, telling me my named GP, and adding (I paraphrase) "but don't think you will ever be able to see him; you will just have to go on seeing any old GP as at present".

Boris Johnson is likely to be unimpressed with his former deputy Richard Barnes's move to UKIP. Only yesterday did the mayor say that any Conservatives thinking of jumping ship to join the rival party "must be utterly nuts" - following two Tory MP defections in one month. Mr Johnson said only the Tories could "sort out" the UK's relationship with the EU, and called for the "great Conservative family" to unite to win a working majority next year.