So, Eleanor Laing survived her meeting with Epping Forest Conservative activists last night. And, to be fair, she won a thumping victory over the local Tory malcontents.

It suggests to me that many Conservatives still haven’t grasped the scale of the expenses scandal or the desire that many local residents have for a fresh start.

I can’t help wondering if the outcome would have been different if, instead of a closed meeting with the party faithful, Mrs Laing had organised an open public meeting for all her constituents, like those that attended by some of her colleagues.