The Prime Minister and other senior Conservatives have repeatedly said that the allowance is sacrosanct.

Officially, the Government has no plans to review Barnett but some senior Conservatives have raised questions about its long-term future.

Privately, however, there is real anxiety among senior Conservatives.

Not many senior Conservatives (or backbenchers for that matter), once their time is up in the Commons, shall be moving on into "manufacturing and real jobs".

Many senior Conservatives travelled to Oldham to support Campbell, as a victory was thought possible.

There are reports that some senior Conservatives wanted him removed as leader as early as 1944.

Third, there is irritation that some senior Conservatives seem not to understand what the Lisbon Treaty really means.

Her comment was rejected by senior Conservatives.

Mrs. Thatcher and other senior Conservatives are members of the club.

He enjoys close links with senior Conservatives.