Sunak is welcomed with cheers from the Tory faithful.

He thanks the crowd, and his wife for "always being there".

And, with reference to the conference slogan on his lectern, he jokes she was "the best long term decision for a brighter future" he ever made.

The speech is expected to last 55 minutes - you can watch it all by pressing play at the top of the page.

Akshata Murty finishes by saying she's introducing a "wonderful father, my best friend, your prime minister" and hands over to the prime minister.

Murty says it is "the greatest honour imaginable" for Sunak to be prime minister, and lead the country and party he loves.

She explains that getting together many years ago was not the easy route, including making long distance work. But being with Rishi Sunak was "the easiest decision of my life," she adds.

"As you may know, Rishi is the son of a GP and a pharmacist," Murty jokes.

"Rishi cares deeply about this party, and the values that underpin it," she adds.

Murty thanks those at the conference for the support they've given both to the prime minister and their family. "Success is hard-won," Murty tells the room.

"Conference thank you for letting me gate crash," she adds as Sunak walks in to the stage.

We've just spotted Home Secretary Suella Braverman in the front row, smiling and nodding as Akshata Murty introduces the PM.

Image source, PA Media

Murty says her husband knows what he likes and dislikes - "he does love a good romcom, the cheesier the better even".

But some of what's said in the media is not true, she adds, reassuring the audience that episodes of Netflix's Emily in Paris are "not informing his outlook on the EU".

More seriously, she says the one word she would use to sum up her husband is "aspiration", citing his family background and political ideals.

Murty says the first thing that struck her when they met aged 24, while studying in America, was not his love of smart suits and hoodies.

It was actually his "deep love" for the UK, she says, and "sincere desire" to see as many people as possible have good opportunities in life

We've just spotted the prime minister watching his wife introduce him from the wings - here he is smiling on from between the curtains:

Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty says she's a surprise addition to the day, and a surprise because Sunak doesn't know what she'll say.

She says she's there because the couple are each other's best friends – "we are one team". The PM is seen smiling in the wings. She wants to show her support for him and the party, Murty says.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is introduced to the Tory conference stage by his wife, Akshata Murty. She walks out to very loud applause.

It's the first time we've seen her make such a public appearance since her husband took over as PM. Murty, a businesswoman, is an heiress to a fortune worth billions. Her father founded one of India’s biggest companies, Infosys, and she has lived a life divided between three continents.

She previously hit the headlines when it emerged she had non-dom tax status, which allows people living in the UK not to pay UK tax on money they make outside the country.

She later pledged that she would start paying UK tax on all her income.

Mercer rounds off his speech with further praise for Sunak, saying he's there to "serve".

He highlights the PM's track record in government, including his support for Brexit and his creation of a "world-leading" furlough scheme while he was the chancellor during Covid.

"We must hang together," he tells the room.

"If we do that, I’m convinced we can get there. Let’s get to it," he says, and walks off the stage to applause.

Mercer continues by praising the prime minister as a man of change.

He singles out the government's work on a range of veterans' issues, including a plan to end rough sleeping for those who've served in the armed forces - and an end to the "hounding" of those who served in Northern Ireland.

Top Tory secretaries of state are in position in the front row ahead of the PM's speech, including Grant Shapps, Suella Braverman, James Cleverly and Jeremy Hunt.

Take a look below:

Image source, Reuters

Veterans' Minister Johnny Mercer is on stage next.

He says the country is at a "crossroads", and is "yearning to be won over". He says it doesn't want a Labour government, but instead wants a "change that works for them".

Acknowledging that the Tories have been in government for 13 years, he says everyone wants a change after a while.

"Just ask my wife," he jokes.

Image source, PA Media

Mordaunt also aims barbs at the Lib Dems and SNP in her warm-up speech for the PM.

"These people will erase all the things we have achieved," she tells the packed conference room.

She finishes her speech telling the room to "stand up and fight", and walks off the stage to a long applause.

Image source, PA Media

Before Sunak speaks, Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt is on stage - taking aim at trade unions who she describes as the "iron fist" leading industrial action.

She also attacks the "velvet glove" that would give the unions cover - meaning Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

Image source, EPA

Today's speech represents the first time Rishi Sunak has been able to make his pitch to the nation as prime minister at a party conference.

He was 42 when he became PM last year, making him the youngest holder of that office in modern times. He is also the first British-Indian to be prime minister.

He spent time in California and worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs - and two multibillion dollar hedge funds - before entering politics.

He's a self-confessed "huge Star Wars fan" and described by colleagues as details-orientated.

• Read more about him here

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent, reporting from the Conservative conference

There were more Conservative activists queuing for Rishi Sunak's speech than the party had space.

So much so that some are being sent to an overspill room to watch.

Yes, party members chose Liz Truss over Sunak just over a year ago - but there is clearly genuine enthusiasm and anticipation for the main event today.

Sunak needs the speech to excite party activists in the room and beyond, because after all they will be his foot soldiers in the election that is coming next year.

Becky Morton
Reporting from the Conservative conference

The hall is now full ahead of Rishi Sunak’s speech - party members still queuing are being turned away.

Image source, Reuters

Rishi Sunak has just been spotted leaving for the Tory Party conference, where he is due to make his major speech soon.

The prime minister is making his way on foot, joined by his wife Akshata Murty.

Chris Mason
Political editor

A minister who has been fully briefed on the speech texts me to claim, or hope, this will be a "transformational" moment for the prime minister, "with more big economic and social announcements than we are accustomed to".

Nathan Williams
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

In less than half an hour Rishi Sunak will be on stage delivering his speech to the Tory conference - his first as prime minister, and one he's hoping won't be his last.

It's widely expected that the election will be called next year, possibly in the autumn, which means this could be the last set of party conferences before voters head to the polls.

So it's a huge moment, especially given that the Tories are currently well behind in the polls.

Sunak will be hoping to change his party's fortunes and, as the BBC's Henry Zeffman says, boldly paint himself as the agent of change.

We've already had more than a hint of the kind of things he's going to say. Yes, we're all expecting that he'll finally bring speculation over HS2 to a close and say he's axing the northern leg of the project. He'll be keen to portray this as a tough decision for the long term.

He'll also be keen to show where the savings - tens of billions of pounds - can be spent on other projects. Stick with us for all the latest.