Iain Duncan Smith is set to offer his MPs a compromise over reform of the contentious Section 28 legislation.

The Conservative leader is set to offer backbenchers a resolution which leaves individual schools rather than local authorities with the responsibility for protecting children from propaganda.

Conservative MP Nigel Waterson, who is in a marginal seat, warned that no Tory leader could expect to stay in the role for long if progress was not made.

In an interview with today's Independent, Archie Norman, an ally of Michael Portillo, calls on IDS to support higher taxes to prove to voters that he is committed to improving public services.

Duncan Smith's week of misery was rounded off with an opinion poll that showed the Conservatives 14 points behind Labour and evens with the Liberal Democrats as the party perceived as providing effective opposition.