As the Conservatives gather in the aftermath of a defeat even worse than that inflicted in 1997, uncertainty reigns as the party grapples with its future direction and its leadership.

The mood is curious. Missteps by Keir Starmer's new government - given new fuel this weekend by Canterbury Labour MP Rosie Duffield resigning the Labour whip with an angry blast over freebies as well as policy choices on winter fuel and the two child limit - have encouraged some Tories there is a way back from the wilderness, perhaps even in one term.

The official theme for this year, "Review and Rebuild," a fitting reflection that captures the mood. The party has been here before. In 2005, a little-known shadow education Secretary called David Cameron burst forward with the innovation of delivering a speech with neither notes or a podium to seize the Tory crown and lead the party back to paper five years later.

The big challenge this time is for one of the four candidates to persuade the faithful it can be done again without the years of infighting, changes of leader and Labour dominance of the political stage. It's no small ask.

Rishi Sunak will be notably absent. While he will take part in one event for members tonight, he will then leave Birmingham. The shadow cabinet will also be little seen throughout the four day jamboree.

Instead, Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly are all set to pitch their vision across the main stage, the fringe and a range of parties. For each, this conference is an opportunity to shine or stumble in front of an audience eager to hear how they plan to restore the party’s relevance.

The four leadership hopefuls will engage in receptions and Q&A sessions across Monday and Tuesday, leading up to the main event, Wednesday’s leadership speech contest, where each candidate will have 20 minutes to outline their vision for the future. Field's team is on hand in Birmingham to report on the mood, the gossip and the performance of the contenders, as well as to keep an eye on the emerging policy debate let rip in the vacuum of leadership.

It all kicked off this morning with Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick taking centre stage in interviews with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, a slot usually reserved for the party leader. Their comments have already sparked debate, offering a glimpse of the ideological rifts that could define this race.

Badenoch, once the grassroots favourite, struck a provocative tone, cautioning that some within the party hold views that "have no place here." She also reaffirmed her controversial stance that certain cultures are "less valid than others," a remark suggesting a potential return to the culture wars, a topic on which we can only speculate David Tennant’s response.

Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick took a hard-line approach to migration, promising a legally binding cap in the tens of thousands or lower. His stance seems to have struck a chord with the party’s base, pushing him ahead of Badenoch in the leadership betting odds.

Not to be forgotten, James Cleverly has also been making his own media rounds this morning, positioning himself as a familiar face to the public. He noted on Sky News that, while his name is well-known, this race is his first chance to present his own vision, rather than follow party lines, a point he likely emphasised at last night’s “Bevs with Clevs” reception.

Tom Tugendhat, for his part, has spent the morning batting away claims that he would be just another privately educated “posh boy” at the helm of the party, should he secure the leadership.

It’s only day one of four but the outcome of this party conference could either usher in a new era for the Tories or highlight their deepening struggle to stay relevant in British politics.

(Photo provided by The Independent)