Is Boris the fluker about to stumble his way to a Brexit victory?

The prime minister usually spends several weeks fine-tuning his conference speech. Today Boris gave an address that felt as it if had been roughed-out yesterday evening and converted into a final draft over a full English breakfast.

The informality looked good. No autocue. Just notes and smiles as he climbed the low step onto the platform. He benefited from a sensible new stage lay-out. Previously the lectern had been set many yards back from the audience. Today it stood on a narrow causeway thrust deep into the crowd. It’s easier for a speaker to excite an audience that surrounds him physically.

He began on a sombre note with ‘a tribute to my predecessor.’ The hall threw its silence back at him. ‘Theresa’, he prompted, as if her name had already vanished from their memories. ‘Theresa May.’

More silence.

‘I know the whole conference remains full of gratitude to you for your patience and forbearance.’