Davis says “in my case the horrible stories are already published”. Whatever does he mean? Davis takes credit for Blunkett’s first resignation. Cameron says he wouldn’t be here if there was a terrible secret to be revealed.

“Stage managed comfort zone” jibe booed but Cameron flinched. Davis is surprisingly fluent, the coaching is showing. Errr count still low, averaging only 1 per question. Cameron knocks detailed tax plans, Davis keeps repeating two words “tax cuts”.

Only 3 “Errrs” from DD in the first answer, the youth versus experience question favours him. Body language says Cameron looks nervous, Davis looks calm.

Mrs Fawkes is unimpressed that the laptop is in bed and the TV is on. This email has just come in from Team Davis:

We have just heard from Nottingham, where the recording of tonight’s special Question Time has just finished. The word is that David Davis performed brilliantly, using all of his experience to set out the clear choice the Conservative Party has to make – to either accept the failed policies of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, or to set out a distinctive Conservative alternative to them.

David also explained how he would win back seats in areas outside the Party’s comfort zone by championing the victims of state failure, standing up for the least well off and building an opportunity society in which everyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of where they’ve come from.

Over the coming days, as the leadership contest moves into a crucial stage, David will be doing more to develop these themes – starting with a new initiative tomorrow.

For now, we hope you’ll watch the programme on BBC1 at 10.35 tonight and that you’ll agree David’s performance demonstrates why he would be such an effective leader of our Party.

Early word is that Davis didn’t screw it up. Which would qualify as a success. He has apparently rehearsed intensely, I hope he appreciated Guido’s advice.

Its not so much what they will say on the panel, but what the questions will be from the audience. Expect a no-holds barred audience attack. Wonks and political anoraks can’t wait…

Comments will be open tonight for readers to online live blog – readers are invited to NOT hold back. Get it all off your chest. See you back here at 10.30pm. Guido will be trying to operate the Mumble-O-Meter and drink simultaneously, without a safety net…

How long before Basher reminds us he was broughtupbyasinglemotherinacouncilhouse, or Smoothie tells us he knowstheheartbreakofadisabledchild? 5 minutes? 10 minutes?

UPDATE : An hour later, Tim Montgomerie decides he too is live blogging the debate as well.

Its 4am in the morning and a crazed redhead assaults her Eastenders soap star husband allegedly. The police take her away. A great Sun front-page story.

Is she fit to edit a national newspaper? Will she write about “My ***** and ***** shame?” There will, Guido suspects, be a seat going spare at the 50th Women of the Year Lunch today. Redheads do have a temper…

UPDATE: Apparently they were earlier out on the piss commiserating with Blunkett. You couldn’t make it up.

So the government avoided humiliation by one single vote last night. They would have been humiliated and their attack on the civil liberties of young muslim men defeated.

If only George Galloway had actually bothered to turn up and vote…

On Monday Blunkett said the family trust would sell the shares at no profit. In fact after the costs of establishing the trust are taken into account it would probably be at a loss. Then he resigned the next day. So if he has sold the shares it was unnecessary now he is once again a powerless backbencher. So Blunkett (or he would say the trust) will miss out on pocketing a few hundred thousand pounds when DNA Bung-Sciences floats. Bad timing and bad judgement.

Or will he? Has he actually sold the shares?

Guido too was unlucky. Blogging Blunkett’s downfall instead of betting on it yesterday morning. I called William Hill around 9.30.

Guido : I’d like to put £50 on Blunkett going.
WH : Which race is that?
Guido : Its a political bet not a horse, he’s a government minister.
WH : We don’t do those I’m afraid.
Guido : I have a press release from Graham Sharpe saying you are offering 7/4 on Blunkett going.
WH : I’ll check.
15 minutes pass, Blunkett fails to show up at the select committee.
WH : Hello, sorry for keeping you waiting. We’re not taking any more bets on that.