Conservative conference begins with heavy defeat for Tory MPs in traditional football match

The last Conservative conference ended in disastrous circumstances with Theresa May's calamitous speech - and this year's event didn't begin any better for Tory MPs as they lost 5-0 in the curtain-raising football match.

Lining up against Westminster journalists, the team of Tory MPs and advisers were far from "strong and stable" as they conceded a succession of goals in the second half.

Former England and Liverpool star John Barnes had been scheduled to appear for the Conservatives, but injury left him having to settle for a role as the side's manager.

He can't have been impressed by what he saw as, following a more even first half, the Tory team were overrun in the second 45 minutes.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was the biggest name among the MPs on show.

And the government minister in charge of the NHS threatened to personally send the opposition goalkeeper for a visit to the nearest hospital, after he dived in to concede a free-kick.

Mr Hancock noticeably began to tire as the first half wore on, with Paste BN' Ramzi Bedj-Bedj striking the first goal for the journalists a few minutes before half-time.

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The health secretary was then substituted as the journalists dominated the second half, with i newspaper's Richard Vaughan netting a brace.

Vaughan gave up a glorious chance for a hat-trick by hitting the crossbar, which enabled Bedj-Bedj to gather the rebound for his second.

Bedj-Bedj then completed a hat-trick to round off the scoring, as the Tory challenge wilted.

Indeed, their second half performance was most notable for the robust tackling of former Lincoln MP Karl McCartney.

They were certainly stronger than the challenge he put up at last year's general election, when he lost his seat to Labour.

One second-half moment also saw Mr Hancock on the health service front line, as he assisted The Independent's Ben Kentish from the pitch following a clash of heads.

Current MPs to appear included Guy Opperman, Graham Jones and Chris Heaton-Harris.

And, despite their heavy defeat, they displayed more unity than is likely to be found during the rest of the Conservative conference, as the party's warring Brexit factions continue to do battle.

However, a warning for Prime Minister Theresa May came as Barnes delivered his end-of-match debrief, telling the MPs he had "two options" for how to respond to their defeat.

"Resign?" asked one.