I cannot recall a time when the fabled Conservative loyalty to the leader was less in evidence. Certainly there was sniping at Edward Heath when in office for not going far and fast enough in giving up government control of utilities and other public sector bodies. However, no Tory MP briefed within eight weeks of his taking office that he should resign. This has not only happened to Liz Truss but some of her honourable friends actually went on the record calling for the whole of the new chancellor's strategy to be abandoned. That did not happen in 1970, still less in 1979/80 when Thatcher and Howe's fiscal strategy destroyed a whole swathe of SMEs.
Part of the difference is that we are at the fag end of a period of Conservative rule, rather than at the start of a fresh-faced opposition's assuming power for the first time. However, it seems that sacrificing a friend and neighbour in Kwasi Kwarteng has given Liz Truss a stay of execution.
It would tempt fate to say more now, given how fast things are moving.
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