The Anne McIntosh problem is not going away for the Tories, with the latest speculation being that the MP might trigger a by-election to try to win the backing of her Yorkshire constituency. McIntosh denies that there are plans to stand as an independent without Tory opposition – after her own association booted her in January- though she tells Guido that she has made ‘no decision as yet’ on what she will do. But then she would say that wouldn’t she…

McIntosh’s dwindling number of fans think it will be easier for her to win as an independent in a separate by-election, possibly held the same day as the European Elections in May, than it would to win at the General Election. The only thing worrying her supporters is that UKIP might pip their girl at the post.