The mood at Conservative conference is bleak.

I estimate less than one third of MPs have turned up - despite what Grant Shapps says.

Some cant be bothered but most don't see the point and would rather spend time in the constituency clawing back support. Of the 8000 capacity at Birmingham's ICC, the conference has only pulled in 3000 activists. A depressing if not entirely unsurprising statistic.

It's stating the obvious to say that David Cameron needs to pull something out the bag over the next few days. Andrew Mitchell's big mouth and Hunt's single handed mission to alienate every pro-choice female swing voter with his social conservative nonsense is making this a thankless task though.

Osborne's announcements were are more along the right lines. But is anyone listening anymore?