In a stinging conference attack the Tory party chairman said the Opposition had “woke running through it like a stick of Brighton rock”. He added: “Previous generations of Labour leaders, activists and voters would look in dismay at what Labour has become.”

       Mr Dowden told the party his trade unionist grandfather Harry was Labour “through and through” but would no longer support the party as it is now.

       He added: “If you want to know why Labour lost the last general election so badly, it’s because so many of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of people like Harry Dowden believe Labour has turned its back on them.”

       By contrast, he said the Tories were “moderate, pragmatic and open” and getting “on with the job” in government.