Is Jeremy Hunt now in charge?

After trying to reassure the markets by junking almost everything Liz Truss announced in her mini-Budget, Jeremy Hunt briefed Tory MPs about his premiership – sorry, plans as chancellor. The mood of those emerging from the briefing was probably the best Tory MPs have been in since the government U-turned on the 45p rate at the start of the Tory conference. ‘He was superb and emollient,’ says one MP, while another describes the briefing as ‘really good’. Both of these MPs, by the way, have told me in the past few days that their party is in the worst position it’s ever been. That’s not to say it was a good mood: it’s just that they’re at least relieved that the new chancellor appears sensible and in control.

The extent of his control is the main topic of discussion in the party: there is to be no sign of Truss in the Commons this afternoon, for instance.