Iain Duncan Smith yesterday told a gathering of Conservative backbenchers to hold their nerve and asked for more time to turn the party's fortunes around.

The Tory leader told the 1922 Committee to "step up a gear" in 2003 to show they could provide a "real alternative" to the government.

After an opinion poll published earlier this week showed the party had fallen in popularity, Duncan Smith told the MPs: "I am not going to pretend the last year has always been easy but now is the time to show the steady nerves and steely determination that has made us the most successful democratic force in history."

The Independent picks up on a Newsnight report that casts doubt about Duncan Smith's education.

The Mirror questions his credibility in light of the claims.