Rishi Sunak has officially made his last ever conference speech as the leader of the Conservative Party. The party’s annual gathering usually has those at the top leading the whole event, but the former PM – who is still leader until November – has taken the almost unprecedented step of not speaking from the main stage at all this year.

Rishi Sunak's final conference speech was a mixture of sombre, reflective, thankful and optimistic, as members now look to picking his replacement.

The deeply unusual event was billed as a 'thank you reception' - and will be Rishi Sunak's only appearance at this year's conference - and he had a message for the people battling to replace him

It was a curious farewell for Rishi Sunak this afternoon. The Tory leader has just finished his final speech to the party faithful before handing over the reins in five weeks time.

Sunak urges Tories to end infighting to avoid future election defeats - The former prime minister also apologised to Tory members for the summer general election loss.

Under the existing Tory leadership timetable a new leader will be announced on November 2 - three days after Rachel Reeves delivers Labour's first Budget in over 14 years

Rishi Sunak has urged the Conservative Party to unite behind whoever wins the contest to replace him as leader. In a speech at the party's conference in Birmingham, Sunak said: "We must end the division,