opportunities and new hope. in our towns the values of hard work and solidarity, common sense and common purpose, endeavour and quiet patriotism have enjoyed across generations. but our towns have been overlooked and undervalued by labour, denied the support they need, denied the action against anti—social behaviour that they have demanded, denied the investment that they deserve. that's why we are investing in our long—term plan for 55 towns across the united kingdom, to ensure that in the country we love, no community is left behind. we can make that investment because we make tough choices and that is what government requires. and that is what conservatives deliver. and conservatives in government have never been more necessary than now. because only we can deliver the long—term changes that this country needs. only the conservatives have the determination to stay the course

and to bring inflation down. only the conservatives have the resolution to resist easy answers, avoid empty pledges and make the right decisions for the long term. whether it's resisting inflation busting pay demands in the public sector or tackling the loonies who stop hard—working families get to work, orfacing down the stop hard—working families get to work, or facing down the faint hearts who say we shouldn't try to control our borders or taking on the enemies of promise in education, only the conservatives are up for the fight. we are the party that fought in the past to bring positive change. that fought to clear slums over a century ago. that fought to lay the foundations of the welfare state 90 years ago, that for fascism, communism and tyranny through the 20th century. which fought the culture of bureaucratic slot that held us back in the 70s. the party

that fought for home ownership, no attacks on personal freedom that fought for home ownership, no attacks on personalfreedom in that fought for home ownership, no attacks on personal freedom in the 805. that fought to let the world to the dangers of climate change. and fought to uphold democracy in ukraine. that fought to make opportunity more equal in the last decade for gay people, poor children, tho5e decade for gay people, poor children, those living with disability and for those from every background who believe in hard work and home truth5. and we will fight at the next election for a kingdom more united, more confident and more ambitious. we will fight together for the country we love! thank you. that was michael gove, the levelling up that was michael gove, the levelling up and housing secretary, giving a speech there at the tory party 5peech there at the tory party conference. a 5peech 5peech there at the tory party conference. a speech that focused a lot on the next election and the policies of labour and the liberal democrats. let's cross live to our political correspondent nick eardley. i know you are listening to

that 5peech eardley. i know you are listening to that speech as well.— that speech as well. look, michael gove is always _ that speech as well. look, michael gove is always quite _ that speech as well. look, michael gove is always quite popular- that speech as well. look, michael gove is always quite popular i - that speech as well. look, michael| gove is always quite popular i think at these conferences because of his rhetorical clashes. he is quite good at taking that political argument to labour. we've seen a lot of that over the course of the morning and yesterday as well. it feels like this is a party getting very ready to try and set out those dividing line5 to try and set out those dividing lines with labour before the next general election. we were chatting earlier about hs2 general election. we were chatting earlier about h52 and the continued uncertainty over what exactly the government has decided. we think the birmingham to manchester leg is being scrapped, we are not totally sure what is going to replace it and where that money is going to go. we had from george osborne criticising that decision, if you conservatives who are pro—hs2 but i want to bring in someone from the other side of the argument, philip davies, the mp for shipley. are you pleased the

prime minister is about to can the birmingham to manchester leg? i hope so. we will wait _ birmingham to manchester leg? i hope so. we will wait for _ birmingham to manchester leg? i hope so. we will wait for an _ birmingham to manchester leg? i hope so. we will wait for an informal - so. we will wait for an informal announcement but i hope so. the fact of the _ announcement but i hope so. the fact of the matter is that hsz was never designed _ of the matter is that hsz was never designed to benefit the north. i have _ designed to benefit the north. i have been in parliament long enough to know_ have been in parliament long enough to know when it was first envisaged and there _ to know when it was first envisaged and there has been a lot of rewriting _ and there has been a lot of rewriting of history. the purpose of h52 when _ rewriting of history. the purpose of h52 when lord adonis proposed it was hsz when lord adonis proposed it was to act— hsz when lord adonis proposed it was to act as _ hsz when lord adonis proposed it was to act as a _ hsz when lord adonis proposed it was to act as a high—speed rail between heathrow— to act as a high—speed rail between heathrow and leeds and manchester to stop short—haul flights so you wouldn't _ stop short—haul flights so you wouldn't need to expand heathrow airport _ wouldn't need to expand heathrow airport it— wouldn't need to expand heathrow airport. it was never intended to benefit _ airport. it was never intended to benefit the north. the bit that works— benefit the north. the bit that works in— benefit the north. the bit that works in terms of transport infrastructure is north to south. in yorkshire — infrastructure is north to south. in yorkshire the easiest bit is getting to london — yorkshire the easiest bit is getting to london. the bit that doesn't work is getting _ to london. the bit that doesn't work is getting across the north. it takes — is getting across the north. it takes me _ is getting across the north. it takes me longer to get from bradford to liverpool than bradford to london _ to liverpool than bradford to london. what we need is infrastructure across the north and the fact— infrastructure across the north and the fact is, — infrastructure across the north and the fact is, it is 180 billion now

in terms — the fact is, it is 180 billion now in terms of— the fact is, it is 180 billion now in terms of cost. everyone knows it's a _ in terms of cost. everyone knows it's a white — in terms of cost. everyone knows it's a white elephant. if you were to offer— it's a white elephant. if you were to offer 180 billion divided between birmingham, manchester, liverpool and leeds, — birmingham, manchester, liverpool and leeds, what is the chances of them _ and leeds, what is the chances of them saying, we don't need anything up them saying, we don't need anything up here, _ them saying, we don't need anything up here, everything is fine. so what we are _ up here, everything is fine. so what we are going to do is support for that money to build a train line to london _ that money to build a train line to london. everybody in the north knows that what _ london. everybody in the north knows that what we need is better infrastructure across the north not north _ infrastructure across the north not north to _ infrastructure across the north not north to south. you infrastructure across the north not north to south.— north to south. you are an mp in west yorkshire, _ north to south. you are an mp in west yorkshire, what _ north to south. you are an mp in west yorkshire, what do - north to south. you are an mp in west yorkshire, what do you - north to south. you are an mp in west yorkshire, what do you sayj north to south. you are an mp in i west yorkshire, what do you say to people like andy street, the mayor of the west midlands, who says this is about a idea, it will be about missing out on an opportunity. it’s missing out on an opportunity. it's now 180 billion, it's getting to. i don't _ now 180 billion, it's getting to. i don't believe andy street when he was in _ don't believe andy street when he was in business carried on with things— was in business carried on with things that cost five or six times more _

things that cost five or six times more it— things that cost five or six times more. it doesn't matter what price it reaches, — more. it doesn't matter what price it reaches, we should still carry on and purchase it? it's a ludicrous notion— and purchase it? it's a ludicrous notion that _ and purchase it? it's a ludicrous notion that you build something irrespective of cost.— notion that you build something irrespective of cost. where do you want the money — irrespective of cost. where do you want the money to _ irrespective of cost. where do you want the money to go? _ irrespective of cost. where do you want the money to go? if - irrespective of cost. where do you want the money to go? if this - irrespective of cost. where do you want the money to go? if this is l want the money to go? if this is canned by the prime minister, do you want him to take all the cash that would have gone on birmingham to manchester and spent it on east to west, connecting the north? i want it sent west, connecting the north? i want it spent across _ west, connecting the north? i want it spent across the _ west, connecting the north? i want it spent across the north. - west, connecting the north? i want it spent across the north. that - west, connecting the north? i want it spent across the north. that will| it spent across the north. that will revolutionise the northern economy. i revolutionise the northern economy. i want _ revolutionise the northern economy. i want better roads, more buses, that's— i want better roads, more buses, that's what— i want better roads, more buses, that's what matters to people's lives _ that's what matters to people's lives. about 2% of people travel by rail and _ lives. about 2% of people travel by rail and yet— lives. about 2% of people travel by rail and yet is getting a vast amount— rail and yet is getting a vast amount of funding. what we want is to improve — amount of funding. what we want is to improve the transport infrastructure across the piece, roads, _ infrastructure across the piece, roads, buses and rail notjust spend it on this _ roads, buses and rail notjust spend it on this white elephant. this roads, buses and rail not 'ust spend it on this white elephant._ it on this white elephant. this is one of the _ it on this white elephant. this is one of the arguments _ it on this white elephant. this is one of the arguments some - it on this white elephant. this is one of the arguments some are | it on this white elephant. this is - one of the arguments some are having about the car policy that the prime minister has been talking about. the argument he makes is most people

outside the big cities, particularly in england, used cars. the counter argument from some people particularly environment campaigners, is they only use cars because the infrastructure is not therefore public transport. i don't aet therefore public transport. i don't net that. therefore public transport. i don't get that. public _ therefore public transport. i don't get that. public transport - therefore public transport. i don't get that. public transport will - get that. public transport will never— get that. public transport will never be _ get that. public transport will never be able to replicate the car. it's never be able to replicate the car. it's more — never be able to replicate the car. it's more convenient but yes, we do need _ it's more convenient but yes, we do need to— it's more convenient but yes, we do need to improve buses, we do need to improve, _ need to improve buses, we do need to improve, nobody is saying we shouldn't— improve, nobody is saying we shouldn't improve those things but the idea _ shouldn't improve those things but the idea we can get everyone off the rose is— the idea we can get everyone off the rose is a _ the idea we can get everyone off the rose is a nonsense. the car will always— rose is a nonsense. the car will always be — rose is a nonsense. the car will always be the most popular mode of transport _ always be the most popular mode of transport. let always be the most popular mode of transort. ., ,~' always be the most popular mode of transort. ., ., transport. let me ask you about the broader mood _ transport. let me ask you about the broader mood at _ transport. let me ask you about the broader mood at this _ transport. let me ask you about the broader mood at this conference. i transport. let me ask you about the i broader mood at this conference. the fact that hs2 has dominated a lot of the coverage. a lot of different things are discussed at fringes, but do you think rishi sunak is capturing the public imagination or has he missed the boat when it comes to seizing the political initiative? i think the prime minister has had his weetabix and the public like it.

he is— his weetabix and the public like it. he is the _ his weetabix and the public like it. he is the prime minister prepared to say the _ he is the prime minister prepared to say the emperor has no clothes. everybody — say the emperor has no clothes. everybody knew the timetable for net zero was _ everybody knew the timetable for net zero was ridiculous. he was prepared to say— zero was ridiculous. he was prepared to say it _ zero was ridiculous. he was prepared to say it we — zero was ridiculous. he was prepared to say it. we have had a boost in the polls— to say it. we have had a boost in the polls because the public welcome that announcement. he the polls because the public welcome that announcement.— the polls because the public welcome that announcement. he has moved fact the timetable — that announcement. he has moved fact the timetable for _ that announcement. he has moved fact the timetable for some _ that announcement. he has moved fact the timetable for some of— that announcement. he has moved fact the timetable for some of these - the timetable for some of these announcements. the the timetable for some of these announcements.— the timetable for some of these announcements. the timetable for nettina announcements. the timetable for caettin rid announcements. the timetable for getting rid of— announcements. the timetable for getting rid of diesel _ announcements. the timetable for getting rid of diesel and _ announcements. the timetable for getting rid of diesel and petrol- getting rid of diesel and petrol cars. _ getting rid of diesel and petrol cars. he — getting rid of diesel and petrol cars, he was right. he is about to do, cars, he was right. he is about to do. i_ cars, he was right. he is about to do, i hope. — cars, he was right. he is about to do, i hope, the same thing on hsz. people _ do, i hope, the same thing on hsz. people know it's a white elephant, unaffordable, the cost is ridiculous and he's _ unaffordable, the cost is ridiculous and he's about to say the emperor has no _ and he's about to say the emperor has no clothes and the public welcome _ has no clothes and the public welcome this new prime minister who is saving _ welcome this new prime minister who is saying these things and the polls are reflecting that.— are reflecting that. we've had a coule of are reflecting that. we've had a couple of speeches _ are reflecting that. we've had a couple of speeches from - are reflecting that. we've had a l couple of speeches from michelle donnellan and from others read the issue of trans rights versus women's rights came up quite a lot. some dread that debate becoming a big

part of our politics because it is divisive, they call it the culture wars. what you think? will that be a big debate at the next election? i5 big debate at the next election? is it a sensible debate at the heart of british politics? taste it a sensible debate at the heart of british politics?— it a sensible debate at the heart of british politics? we had to have the debate. british politics? we had to have the debate- the — british politics? we had to have the debate. the m — british politics? we had to have the debate. the id that _ british politics? we had to have the debate. the id that a _ british politics? we had to have the debate. the id that a man - british politics? we had to have the debate. the id that a man can - british politics? we had to have the debate. the id that a man can selfl debate. the id that a man can self identify— debate. the id that a man can self identify as — debate. the id that a man can self identify as a woman and be put in a women's _ identify as a woman and be put in a women's prison, the idea that anyone thinks _ women's prison, the idea that anyone thinks that— women's prison, the idea that anyone thinks that is— women's prison, the idea that anyone thinks that is sensible is a nonsense. unfortunately it is a debate — nonsense. unfortunately it is a debate. again, the conservative party— debate. again, the conservative party are — debate. again, the conservative party are on the common sense where the vast _ party are on the common sense where the vast majority of the public are. do you _ the vast majority of the public are. do you think rishi sunak is weaponised in that? he do you think rishi sunak is weaponised in that?- do you think rishi sunak is wea onised in that? , , , ., ~ weaponised in that? he is speaking common sense. _ weaponised in that? he is speaking common sense. if _ weaponised in that? he is speaking common sense. if other— weaponised in that? he is speaking common sense. if other people - weaponised in that? he is speaking l common sense. if other people want to make _ common sense. if other people want to make an— common sense. if other people want to make an issue of that, that's up to make an issue of that, that's up to then _ to make an issue of that, that's up to then but — to make an issue of that, that's up to then but what rishi sunak is stating — to then but what rishi sunak is stating the obvious that most in the country— stating the obvious that most in the country thing. if his opponents say he is _ country thing. if his opponents say he is talking rubbish, good luck to them _ he is talking rubbish, good luck to them but — he is talking rubbish, good luck to them but we are on the side of the

mainstream majority.— mainstream ma'ority. thank you. there is mainstream majority. thank you. there is definitely _ mainstream majority. thank you. there is definitely a _ mainstream majority. thank you. there is definitely a debate - mainstream majority. thank you. there is definitely a debate in - mainstream majority. thank you. | there is definitely a debate in the conservative party about this. i know we've heard a lot of those voices over the past couple of those who are angry at what the prime minister seems about to do, cancelling the birmingham to manchester leg but as we have heard from philip davies, there are many who think the whole thing was a bad idea. . ~' ,, x' who think the whole thing was a bad idea. ., ,, i. a a ., , idea. thank you, nick. nick eardley, our political— idea. thank you, nick. nick eardley, our political correspondence - idea. thank you, nick. nick eardley, our political correspondence that - our political correspondence that the conservative party conference. you also heard from the health secretary, technology secretary, housing and levelling up secretary. lots more to come. hello. today, the weather is going to be a bit fresher than yesterday, and we are looking at bright spells with some sunny intervals, but also some showers as well, and it is going to be a blustery day across the board. so, the most frequent showers will be across the north and the west, but we will still see some showers pushing east through

the course of the day. in the far south of england, things brightening up as an area of high pressure starts to build in. more sunshine as we head on through the afternoon. temperatures down a little bit on yesterday with highs of 13—19 c north to south. as we head through the evening and overnight, we will still have quite a few showers left behind, but through the night a new weather front is coming across northern parts of northern ireland and scotland, and that will produce some heavy rain. it is also going to be a windy night. not particularly cold. overnight lows 8—ii c. into tomorrow, here is ourfirst front and here is the second one. both bearing rain, so they will be large rainfall totals starting to mount up, particularly across scotland. not just on wednesday, but also into thursday. further south, under the area of high pressure it will be drier with more sunshine. a few showers dotted across northern england and wales, and the rain still living in across northern parts of northern ireland. temperatures similar to tuesday,

12—19 c north to south. moving forward into thursday, more rain sweeping into northern ireland and scotland. the rainfall totals are really starting to mount. we will see some of that getting into north wales and northern england. a few showers in south wales and the south—west, but a bit more cloud across central and eastern parts of england. we are still under the influence of high pressure here. as we head towards the latter part of the week, high—pressure very much across us all, but we do have weather fronts flirting with the north and the west. at times during the weekend we are going to be prone to some rain, but not all the time. temperatures are going to start creeping up. during friday, edinburgh 18 celsius, 22 celsius in london. by sunday, edinburgh will still be 18 but london is looking at an unseasonable 26 celsius.

live from london. this is bbc news the speaker of the us house of representatives is fighting for his political life as his fellow republican files a rarely used motion to try to oust him. rishi sunak faces pressure to spell out the future of the high speed rail link to the north of england as businesses and politicians demand answers and pope francis appears to leave open the possibility of priests

blessing same—sex couples, if certain circumstances are met. hello, i'm maryam moshiri. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we'll bring you more on all those stories in a moment but we start with some breaking news. a 14—year—old has been arrested after a shooting at a shopping mall in the thai capital bangkok. three people are reported to have been killed and others wounded at the siam paragon shopping centre. that is near the centre of the city. these are the live pictures coming into us now. as you can see there,

people are milling around,