Mr Osborne presented a united front with Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, following reports the Treasury wanted to scrap the work and pensions secretary's new Universal Credit over fears costs and complexity were spiralling out of control.

BBC: Tory conference: George Osborne in ?10bn benefit cut vow

At a recent meeting, 17 of the parties formed a new United Front for Change, which has pledged itself to work for the creation of a strong, credible opposition, an end to the war, and the creation of conditions for holding free and fair elections.

ECONOMIST: Angola