Far from following their own principles, it seems Conservatives in Cornwall are happy to follow the party's principals as they flip-flop over the budget and cuts to disability allowances.

Two weeks ago, the county's six MPs voted to support cuts to disability allowances, and St Ives' member Derek Thomas was eloquent in support of the measures. Yet one week, one Cabinet resignation and one Government U-turn later, he is vociferously "committed" to the new party line.

And in Falmouth, MP Sarah Newton has appeared to almost-professionally fence-sit since 2010, while managing to always vote for her party overlords.

Last week the Chancellor said "when the south west votes blue, their voice is heard loud in Westminster."

Aside from the undemocratic implication that if votes were different the government would ignore us, the actions of the Tory toady currently serving Helston as MP would suggest that the "voices of the west country" will in fact gladly bleat back whatever their masters demand