The Daily Politics

The Guardian's Polly Toynbee says the Tories are in "an appalling state of disarray".

After the British Chambers of Commerce criticised government divisions, she comments: "Business turning against the Conservatives - that's almost unheard of."

However, she adds: "I don't think they'll get rid of May. They can't."

The Daily Politics

Polly Toynbee from the Guardian and Toby Young of the Spectator give their take on the atmosphere at the Conservative conference.

Toby Young thinks Theresa May's position is "still fairly secure" but, while "the Labour Party conference felt like a victory parade, this feels like a post-mortem".

Of Boris Johnson, he says: "I don’t think he's on maneuvres, I don't think he wants her job and I don't think she's likely to sack him".

He adds that the prime minister has "the Obi-Wan Kenobi problem: if you strike him down, he only becomes more powerful".

The Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has been reflecting on a year of "political ups and downs" in Wales. There were "excellent" results in council elections, he said, but it was a "difficult" general election with Conservative colleagues losing their seats.

Turning to Brexit, he said the union of the UK was "more important than ever before" and it was crucial to protect the "precious bond" between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On an upbeat note, he called Wales an "open, outwards looking economy" which was determined to benefit from Brexit. He said that since 2010 Wales had been the fastest growing part of the UK, outside London.

The MP for a constituency which used to be represented by Boris Johnson has some harsh words for the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Johnson, MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008, is now the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

In a series of speeches, party representatives support the market economy and argue that the Conservatives are the people to defend it.

Hillary Su from Cities of London and Westminster tells conference that she was born in Chinese-ruled Tibet.

"Growing up in China, opportunities weren't often available for people like me," she says.

She moved to the UK because she saw it as "a beacon of hope and opportunity" and joined the Conservative Party when she became a British citizen.

She now works in the City and sees the Conservatives as "defending the free market system".

Scottish Secretary David Mundell says "a sincere thank you" to Conservative activists for the party's much-improved showing in Scotland in 2017.

He also thanks Theresa May for refusing Nicola Sturgeon's demand for what he calls "a divisive and damaging" second independence referendum.

"It was a message most Scots wanted to hear," he tells conference.

Mr Mundell also praises the "tireless energy and fearless determination" of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

Image source, ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND

Day two of the Tory conference begins with a speech by David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland.

The Conservatives gained 12 Scottish seats at the general election, taking their tally of MPs to 13, compared to just one won in 2015.

As Mr Mundell says, there was an often-repeated joke that there were more pandas in Scotland than Tory MPs.

"No more, conference," he says. "That gag has now been consigned to the dustbin of comedy history."

Image source, i

Monday's papers have different takes on cabinet splits over Brexit, with the i saying there is a "backlash against Boris".

"Businesses and backbenchers round on Boris Johnson," is the Guardian's take on criticism of the foreign secretary from MPs and wider criticism of the government from the British Chambers of Commerce.

"May can't last as leader, say senior Tories," reports the Metro while the normally supportive Daily Mail chides: "What a time to be squabbling!"

Read the BBC's full newspaper round-up here.

Image source, Daily Mail

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

"There's real tension right across this conference and, quite frankly, quite a lot of scratching of heads," BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg told Today earlier.

Her words follow a defence of the free market by Chancellor Philip Hammond and a similar defence by Theresa May at the Bank of England last week.

Why do senior government figures feel the need to defend the basic tenets of capitalism at this point?

As Theresa May commented at a conference fringe event on Sunday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has changed the consensus, Laura adds.

Image source, EPA

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson went for a morning run earlier today, before the day's conference events get under way.

Sean Clare
BBC Victoria Derbyshire programme

Chris Mason
Political Correspondent