Are the Tories the party of the working people? Conference protests show not all see it that way

I've just come back into the conference hall from the anti austerity-march which is going on outside.

Out there, you will find tens of thousands of people protesting about welfare cuts, trades union and strike reforms and a host of other causes such as the direction of the NHS and Trident.

In here, you will find ministers talking about being on the side of the 'strivers'.

One of the policy changes which has brought protestors onto the streets in such large numbers are the cuts to tax credits.

These are benefits paid through the tax system - many of which are paid to those in work.

In other words - working people.

If you remember back to the election - or if you've paid any attention to the debate since - you will know the Conservatives now claim to be the party of the 'working people'.

In fact, in an election celebration in the hall just now - Michael Gove claimed that the Tories were now "more than ever" on the side of working people.

But working people outside the hall didn't see it that way.

They told me they felt the Tories were attacking them - and that ministers don't understand the lives of the working poor.

Neither, they say, do the Tories have a mandate to do it.

Eleven million people voted Conservative in May but these protestors point out around 14 million people voted for parties which pledged less austerity.

The changes to tax credits announced in the post-election Budget, will make a million people worse off by around £1,300 per year, according to the think tank the Resolution Foundation.

And the Institute for Fiscal Studies - often seen as the most authoritative body on fiscal and financial matters - says the new National Living Wage will not make up for the cut in income from the tax credit changes.

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister was clear this morning: there will be no u-turn.

On his Sunday morning sofa interview with the BBC, Mr Cameron was asked if ministers would consider a rethink in November's Autumn Statement.

His response: "No, we think these changes are right."

Outside the security bubble of the conference, delegates were advised - for their own safety - to remove their blue passes as the protestors went by.

Moments after a young activist decided he would face off with the protestors to stand up to 'militant leftism' and egg landed on his head.

Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, was also chased when protestors on the anti-austerity march spotted him.

They chased after the cabinet minister with placards - some of which read "DON'T BE SUCH A HUNT".

He soon found a group of police officers who escorted him to the nearest gap in the security fence.

After which the hunted Mr Hunt was deposited back inside the security bubble and the protestors left to rejoin the march.

Who said people are bored by politics these days?

Not in Manchester this week.