Earlier this month Guido backed the case for mandatory participation in a “work for the dole” policy after the Taxpayers’ Alliance argued it would save some £3.5 billion a year and help 345,000 off welfare. It certainly wound up all the right people.

This morning, the Mail reports that long-term unemployed will be be told at Tory party conference they have to do a full-time unpaid job for their benefits money. Any worries in Downing Street about the move should be abated by the numbers: According to a YouGov poll for Policy Exchange it is a policy that has overwhelming public support, with 56% backing workfare compared to just 12% against:

Nothing like a crowd pleaser to liven up a conference, eh?