The gathering, due to be held in Birmingham from 29 September to 2 October, would usually attract corporate attendees willing to pay tens of thousands of pounds to get close to MPs with influence over policy.
But Labour's landslide election victory means this year's event is on track to be the least popular in living memory, according to several public affairs firms and business leaders.
They said it was likely to be less well attended by business leaders than the one held after Tony Blair's 1997 victory and even Labour conferences under Jeremy Corbyn.
"The lack of appetite among business for the Conservative party conference is no doubt fuelled not just by the attractiveness of Labour, but also a realisation that the Conservative party is at a real inflection point," said Katherine Morgan, the head of public affairs for Europe at the global advisory group DGA.
"The challenge for the Conservatives will be ensuring that September marks the beginning of the journey towards re-establishing their credentials as 'the party of business'." Several agencies are understood to have cancelled dinners they were due to host or scaled back delegations, with one saying that only one of its 70 clients was planning to attend.
This story is from the July 24, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 24, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Prendergast plays hero in Ireland's historic triumph
Ireland secured their first Twenty20 win against England yesterday, completing a record run chase off the penultimate ball after Mady Villiers attempted to force a run-out, missed the stumps and allowed the two Irish batters to run an overthrow.
British hopes end with double defeat to Canada
Dan Evans and Jack Draper fall to straight-sets losses in front of record home crowd.
Set-piece killer Jover part of mania for detail that separates the Gunners from Tottenham
Yes, well, of course that was going to happen. Ange Postecoglou has a particular manner on the touchline, a way of standing in the same spot for long periods of time, fists bunched in his pockets, a little hangdog and sad, like a long-suffering dad at sports day.
Explainer What the charges against City mean
As an independent commission prepares to assess the 115 charges, here is everything you need to know
Barnes' blast sinks stumbling Wolves as Howe calls for 'unity'
If there is a civil war raging in the background, it seems to be suiting Newcastle very well.
Piastri edges Baku battle as Norris closes on Verstappen
Engrossing and impossibly tense, Formula One might consider itself flattered if the final third of this season delivers with the same compelling drama as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In the running Coe faces almighty fight to become IOC president - but write him off at your peril
While most Britons were demolishing the last of the Christmas turkey in 1979, Sebastian Coe ran 14.4 miles up the Derwent Valley, defying everything that nature and the elements dared to throw at him.
Airport expansion Operators hope plans will fly with pro-growth Labour
The younger, tormented minister considering his position before the Labour government granted Heathrow's third runway in 2009 might have been greatly relieved to know that, 15 years later, not a shovel would have touched the ground.
England's north-south gap in rents shrinks to 11-year low
The gap in rents paid by those in the north and south of England has closed to its lowest level in at least 11 years, figures show.
Fight drown as epic’ floods sweep central and eastern Europe
Eight people have drowned in Austria, Poland and Romania with four others reported missing in the Czech Republic as Storm Boris continues to lash central and eastern Europe, bringing torrential rain and floods that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.