The Conservatives have been dubbed a “zombie party” after they were defeated in the House of Commons for the third day in a row.
Not a single Tory voted to support the government in an appeal to change the horse racing betting levy order in a joint regulatory reform committee.
Ministers and civil servants were unable to make a coherent argument for the legislation, and the shadow body, which has already been set up with Sir Hugh Robertson at the helm, will now have to be disbanded.
The crushing defeat follows amendments to the Finance Bill that were accepted by the Tories last night, which according to Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell showed Theresa May is in office but not in power.
More to follow.