Armed police could be seen patrolling the streets of Blackpool today (Friday 18th March) as the Conservative Conference got underway at the newly-opened Winter Gardens Conference & Exhibition Centre.

With the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, opening the proceedings today and the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, taking to the stage tomorrow, Blackpool has been firmly put back on the Conference map.  This is the first major political conference to take place in Blackpool for nearly 15 years.

Other key note speakers visiting Blackpool include the Home Secretary Priti Patel, the Minister for Brexit Opportunities, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid.

The scene in the Winter Gardens this morning (18.03.2022) is depicted below.  There appeared to be many empty seats!