Not content with announcing his resignation from the Conservative Party, David Mellor yesterday labelled Iain Duncan Smith a "sub-Blair creature" who is "devoid of any real personal distinction whatsoever".

Speaking on to the BBC, the former Cabinet minister said: "I have actually ceased to be a member of the Conservative Party. It didn't seem worth renewing the membership. Until they rediscover a basic belief and a cutting edge I shall join the 54.5 million [people] who are not members of a political party."

But former Conservative leader William Hague has backed his successor. Duncan Smith is "doing the right things", Hague told the BBC.

Meanwhile, Peter Kellner, the political commentator and chairman of YouGov, says that the Conservatives could lose one hundred council seats and two MEPs next year if it repeats the 35 per cent share of the vote seen in the recent the local elections.