Rishi Sunak arrives in Manchester today hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaotic scenes his predecessor Liz Truss oversaw at last year's Tory conference.
With train strikes scheduled for the first and last day of the four-day gathering, the helicopter enthusiast Prime Minister has said he will "probably be driving" to the event. It will be Mr Sunak's first Tory conference as leader of the party and the PM faces a key moment on Wednesday as he sets out his vision for the country in a keynote speech.
But with the Conservatives trailing Labour in the national polls it could also be Mr Sunak's last major address to the party faithful if he suffers a defeat at next year's general election. With a divided party after 13 years in power, the cost-of-living crisis, crumbling schools, record NHS waiting lists, industrial action, and a record asylum backlog, he faces a number of hurdles this week.
Here The Mirror looks at what could be the key flashpoints as the Tories gather in Manchester.
Liz Truss's 'Growth Rally'
Almost a year into the job Mr Sunak is still haunted by his predecessors - and at least two of them are set to appear at the conference. Liz Truss, the 49-day PM who this time last year was preparing to U-turn on her disastrous mini-Budget, will be among the Tory MPs present.
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She is set to appear at a "Great British Growth Rally" on Monday alongside former cabinet ministers Simon Clarke and Priti Patel. The event being held on Monday boasts Ms Truss "will head up a star-studded panel of speakers" addressing the UK's sluggish economic growth.
The appearance of the former PM, who is attempting to keep the flame burning for slashing taxes, will likely be an unwelcome intervention for No10. Theresa May is also set to appear at the conference to sign copies of her newly released book, the Abuse of Power.
In perhaps one piece of good news for Mr Sunak, another book penned by Nadine Dorries - The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson - had been set for publication on the eve of the Tory conference, but has been delayed.
Northern leg of HS2
In a stroke of PR genius and just days before the conference in Manchester, the Government has thrown the northern leg of HS2 in doubt. Mr Sunak is considering whether to axe or delay a key part of the mammoth rail project - from Birmingham to Manchester - in response to soaring costs.
Just last week he repeatedly refused to comment on "speculation" when tackled during an interview on BBC Radio Manchester. The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who is set to appear at a fringe event during the conference, has been vocal in his opposition. He warned last week it would leave the North of England with "Victorian infrastructure" and turn the north-south divide into a "chasm". Former Labour PM Gordon Brown, who initially gave the green light to the project, added: “I think it's very sad that we can't get an agreement on this basic infrastructure. Every country in Europe is doing high speed rail.
And just days ago the former PM Boris Johnson said it would be the "height of insanity to announce all this just before a party conference in Manchester. No doubt the issue will be a major topic as Tory MPs and delegates descend on the city.
The PM is expected to tout a pro-motorist agenda at conference in an attempt to distract from the HS2 controversy. He is reportedly looking at curbing the powers of councils in England to impose 20mph speed limits, as well as restricting the number of hours a day cars are banned from bus lanes, and scaling back controversial low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
Mass demonstrations against the Tories
A major protest is being organised for Sunday - kicking off at midday - just streets away from where the Tory conference is being held. Organised by the anti-austerity movement the People's Assembly, it is demanding higher taxes on the rich and an end to the cost-of-living crisis.
Demanding the Tories out of office after 13 years, the "national demonstration" is supported by major unions, including Unite and RMT. Expect speeches from RMT general secretary Mick Lynch and the National Education's Union leader Daniel Kebede.
Organisers have promised to "stop next to the conference and make lots of noise and call with a united voice to kick the Tories out once and for all". It will also coincide with strikes across the NHS for three days - between 2nd and 5th October - by junior doctors and consultants.
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Rishi Sunak's conference speech
Conference speeches are a major opportunity for political leaders to address party members while setting out their priorities and vision for the country. But if they go wrong - as was the case in 2017 when Ms May was handed a p45, lost her voice, and the set behind her collapsed - they can add to the sense of chaos in the party.
Mr Sunak will be hoping for a much smoother affair as he takes to the stage on Wednesday. The PM is reportedly hoping his personal vision will shine through to put the recent chaos within the warring Tory party behind him. If it goes wrong, it could add to the sense the Tories are heading straight for opposition,
MPs on manoeuvres
During the dying days of Theresa May's government, Boris Johnson received a rock star welcome from Tory delegates gathered at the 2018 conference. They cheered as he urged the government to "chuck Chequers" - the Brexit plan the former PM had signed off on during a meeting of her Cabinet that summer.
With the Tories now trailing Labour in the polls, there will undoubtedly be ambitious MPs and ministers on maneuvers once again. They will have one eye on a potential leadership contest should Mr Sunak be defeated by Keir Starmer at the likely general election next year.
While keynote speeches will have to be signed off by No10 there will be dozens of fringe events and drinks receptions at the Tory conference providing ample opportunity for those wishing to freelance on Government policy. Last year during Ms Truss's only Tory conference as leader, the party descended into a civil war, with rebel MPs accused of staging a "coup". Mr Sunak and his top team will be praying this year is a less fractious affair.
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