In a packed bar just outside the Conservative Conference zone more than 300 people gathered for this year’s GB News party.

Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, The Temptations My Girl and Earth, Wind and Fire’s September certainly got feet moving, but it was Land of Hope and Glory that really captured the mood.

Union Jack-clutching attendees belted out the once unofficial anthem of the Tory Party after hearing a barnstorming speech from Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.

While a curtain-closing rendition of God Save the King might have been axed from this year’s schedule, attendees certainly made up for it last night at the best party in Manchester.

“I’ve been to both [Sky News and GB News] parties,” one attendee said. “GB News is the better of the two.”

And a former Australian Prime Minister was even spotted enjoying last night’s antics.

London-born Tony Abbott, who served as Australian premier from 2013 to 2015, was seen enjoying himself at GB News’s Conservative Conference party just moments after Mr Jenrick delivered his speech.

A huge number of high-profile Tories were also in attendance. Vote Leave chief Lord Elliot was enjoying the canapes and Dame Priti Patel was all smiles during Christopher Hope’s opening remarks.

However, it was Mr Jenrick’s speech that really set the mood. “We’re here to celebrate GB News and Chris, thank you for inviting us all here tonight,” the Shadow Justice Secretary said.

“You are the People’s Channel. You are the and the service that you have given to our country is absolutely phenomenal.”

In an admission about his own work with GB News, Mr Jenrick added: “I’ve had a great time working with TVs over the course of this year.

“We went and did an amazing video in Birmingham about the litter at the beginning of the year.

On the wider impact of the People’s Channel, the Newark MP added: “I really mean it when I say that you transformed the TV and media landscape in our country, and exactly as you rightly say, Chris, you’ve given voice to people who feel that they’ve had enough.

“They feel that they have been belittled and demeaned and ignored by out-of-touch Westminster elite, both politicians and the media, for far too long.

“Thank you for doing that amazing service to our country. Have a great night. Enjoy this party. Enjoy conference and good to see you all. Keep watching GB News.”

The “Fly the Flag” party, which ended in the early hours of Tuesday morning, was now in full swing.

However, it was all painstakingly at odds with the atmosphere inside the Manchester Centre yesterday.

While footfall was marginally up, it was as if many Tory members had reached the fifth stage of grief: acceptance.

There are still some who find themselves firmly in the delusional first stage, refusing to accept the rise of Reform UK and clinging to the hope that disaffection with Sir Keir Starmer can propel the Conservatives back into power.

However, the main stage speeches have been so sparsely attended, even by loyal disciples of the Tory cause.

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride went on the attack against Reform UK yesterday, joining a cabal of Conservatives hellbent on sniping at Nigel Farage.

It was, for what it’s worth, robust in its criticism, but the truth is that the main arena space was only half full.

Ex-Labour aide Matthew Torbitt even admitted that a fringe event he had been billed to speak on had been cancelled due to lack of numbers.

“There’s something quite sad about how dead all of this is,” Mr Torbitt said.