The Conservative Party autumn conference will take place in Manchester, featuring a series of speeches and debates. The agenda includes discussions on the future of the UK, environment and climate change, international development, welfare reform, jobs, economy, housing, local government, transport, Olympics and Paralympics, London, policing, criminal justice, young people, cities, schools, NHS, defence and foreign policy, with speeches from notable party figures such as Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Theresa May, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, Education Secretary Michael Gove, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, and Prime Minister David Cameron.

London's transport network will see an average 7% fare increase from January 2012 to maintain investment. The rise is above inflation (currently at 5%), with some services increasing by more or less than 7%. Fares include a 10p increase for Oyster pay-as-you-go bus fares to £1.40, and Tube fare increases of between 10p and 30p, as well as cash fares rising by 30p to 40p. London Travelcard season ticket prices will also rise by 8%. The Mayor, Boris Johnson, cited the need to balance current passengers' needs with continued investment in the transport system, while critics such as Ken Livingstone and Caroline Pidgeon argued that the rises were unjustified and would disproportionately affect those struggling financially.

Ken Livingstone, a candidate for London mayor, compared his battle against Boris Johnson to the struggle between Churchill and Hitler. He stated that next year's mayoral race is a "simple choice between good and evil" and warned that those who don't vote for him will be punished in the afterlife by the Archangel Gabriel. His comment was met with criticism from Croydon Tory MP Gavin Barwell, who called it "incredibly poor taste" and said it would not unite the city.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, opposes police budget cuts following days of looting and disorder. He believes "robust policing" is needed, particularly with the Olympics being held in London next year. This puts him at odds with Prime Minister David Cameron, who says there will be no reduction in "visible policing". The government has announced plans to cut police budgets, but Johnson wants them to reconsider.