Surprise, surprise – Dave will not be using his party conference speech to tackle the issue of an EU referendum. Instead, Nick Robinson is being briefed that the PM will make a “major speech” on Europe before the EU leaders’ summit in December. Where have we heard that one before…

With cast iron Cam backtracking already, it has reached the stage that whatever he says won’t be enough. Today has seen more speculation about a Tory-UKIP pact. But now Cameron seems even further away from making a promise signed in blood…