Where did it all go wrong?

ONLY a month ago Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative Party leader, confounded his critics by presiding over what many considered the most successful party conference in years. The party had united behind no less than 25 bright and shiny new policies, while bravely confronting its intolerant and illiberal past. Mr Duncan Smith had presented himself to the country in his true colours—decent, modest and determined, the not-to-be-underestimated “quiet man” of British politics, in pleasing contrast with the relentlessly show-offy prime minister. At last, it seemed that the Tories had direction and Mr Duncan Smith a recognisable and attractive political personality.