Guido had the first look at Jeremy Browne’s new book at the weekend, in which the sacked LibDem lays into his own leader’s “timidity“. Top of Guido’s Sun on Sunday column two days ago it makes the front page of the Telegraph today. In fact it is the only time Clegg is mentioned in the whole book.

Readers could be forgiven for thinking Browne had defected to the Tories. He praises Thatcher for privatisation and Blair for his market-based public service reforms. The book is more radical than most Tory ministers, on cutting the size of the state Browne adds: “Cameron has said, ‘We have to be completely focused on getting more for less in our public services’. I agree… but I would go further.” He even borrows Dave’s favourite global race theme. “Jeremy knows where to find us,” chuckles a Conservative source.

Race Plan by Jeremy Browne MP is available on Amazon for £10.