Young Conservative labels Birmingham ‘a dump’ ahead of Tory party conference 2022 at the ICC this week

A Young Conservative has provoked outrage by labelling ‘a dump’ ahead of the Conservative Party Conference 2022 which takes place at the ICC, beginning tomorrow (October 2) to Wednesday (October 5).

Daniel Grainger, Chairman and Operations Lead for the Young Conservative Network, has complained that about the party choosing to hold the conference in Birmingham, complaining that the people of the city don’t support the Tories.

He said: “I am once again advocating for Conservative Party Conference to be in a place that actually votes for us. Birmingham is a dump.”

It will be the first Conservative Party Conference with Liz Truss as Prime Minister. A huge security operation is underway as armed police patrol streets and a cost of living protest is planned for tomorrow (Sunday, October 1).

Daniel’s comments have provoked a huge backlash, with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street among those who have rushed to Birmingham’s defence. He said: “Off you pop then, and take anyone with the same views with you. Try and take some time to grow up and understand just why this city is so special whilst you’re gone.

“I may be a Conservative, but I’m also a bloody proud Brummie. I won’t have anyone who’s never lived or breathed this place trying to put us down.”

Birmingham Labour MP Jess Philips also commented saying: “I see the Tories doing their best to endear themselves.”

Mr Grainger has since deleted his Tweet and has apologised for his comments, saying: “My tweet in relation to Birmingham was not about the city or its people. I’ve always enjoyed my visits to your city, but this morning I was greeted by an individual who threatened me with a mugging. I was angry and tweeted without thinking, I apologise for any offence caused.

“I’d also like to directly apologise to @andy4wm, the @Conservatives and other representatives of Birmingham for my ill conceived comments. I have now deleted the tweet.

The exchange comes against a backdrop of wider divisions emerging within the Tory party, after the Chancellor’s mini-budget prompted market turmoil.

In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Kwasi Kwarteng claimed he will be setting out a “credible plan” to get the public finances back on track with a “commitment to spending discipline”.

Writing in The Sun, Prime Minister Liz Truss insisted the Government was right to act and will keep “an iron grip” on the national finances.

But the move has come under attack from prominent backbenchers who are concerned about the pound hitting a record low and the impact the financial fallout could have on them at the ballot box.

Tory MP Robert Largan labelled as a “mistake” the decision to cut the top income tax rate while colleague Simon Hoare, chairman of the Northern Ireland Select Committee, branded the financial plans “inept madness”.

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