Big applause saved for Tory specials

The Conservative conference ends today on the back of three far from quiet days in Manchester.

Much of the noise was outside, of course, and even for the most inspiring speakers, delegates didn't go big in the applause stakes until they felt there was something which truly merited it.

They were polite, appreciative to all but saved the really enthusiastic stuff for the specials.

Like Home Secretary Theresa May. In sleek, black frock with a funny neckline and killer heels, Mrs May got an immediate standing ovation.

She is one politician who really deserves it, though.

The Home Secretary has a tough job and this week had to deal with the highly emotive matter of immigration, sounding understanding, caring and offering refuge as well as facing the harsh realities that small countries and their increasingly limited services will struggle.

Mrs May faces health issues with type 1 diabetes, which mean daily injections for life and agree with her or not, she always stands for what she truly believes.

We have welcomed her to Shropshire Star events and to the wider Telford and Shropshire communities a number of times and been impressed.

A good stage trick is to remember that whatever you've said, it's how you finish that grabs them. And so Mrs May's last line rang out: "Let Britain be a beacon of hope."

They liked that very much indeed.

But it set me thinking that maybe the more elegantly muted reception and applause does give an air of gravitas to the occasion rather than out-of-control cheering and jeering.

And with the newly-born Mr Corbyn defying his own advice to Labour and appearing on the Conservative conference patch this week – you couldn't find the centre of Manchester that night – there was plenty of cheering before his disciples popped down the road to jeer at the other side.

Back in the conference hall yesterday, Dr Tania Mathias, the MP for Twickenham, got generous hands-together on account of the rugby links with her area before the Conservative glamour boys (Zac and Boris) were wheeled out as an engaging (that's engaging, not engaged) pair.

The Mayor of London and the Tory choice hoping to inherit the title of the biggest local government job of them all, Mr Boris Johnson and Mr Zac Goldsmith proved a fine pre-lunch appetiser.

And add the good news filtering through the good old media that car sales were healthily on the up, end-of-life care in Britain was hailed as the best and jobs and new apprentice figures were glowing, and the feel-good-factor went down very well indeed with the soup.

Your turn, Dave!