Her speech yesterday at the Conservative Party Conference was supposed to be a victory parade. which confirmed the beginning of a new era for the Party and consolidated its position as a safe pair of hands to deal with the economy.

Instead, the Prime Minister Liz Truss was faced with chaos and calamity as she fought to keep her premiership alive.

While there has been no official decision made about how benefits will rise by next Spring, it is understood that Truss strongly favours the lower increase linked to average wages.

If that were to become policy, it is believed that it will be the greatest reduction in real terms to benefits ever.

With the Party close to rebellion and at least two Cabinet Ministers openly breaking ranks, Truss needs to reassert her authority before the situation deteriorates to such an extent that she is left with just two alternatives; comply or resign.