The Guardian argues that the Tory leader will fail to win the respect of his enemies because he intends to fight dirty instead of acting like a statesman.

The Independent agrees. It decides that the speech was a missed opportunity because Mr Duncan Smith offered voters only opportunism, xenophobia and unimaginative leadership.

The Sun is even more sceptical, deriding the speech as "a fake and a flop" which "spectacularly backfired".

The paper claims that the numerous standing ovations which peppered the speech were rigged.

It argues that IDS is still fighting for his political life and the rebels are on track to attempt a coup next month.

'Rather moving'

But there is some comfort for Mr Duncan Smith.

The Daily Telegraph says that he showed outstanding courage in facing down his critics, and delivered his best speech yet.

The Daily Mail describes the speech as "macho, slick and rather moving".

The paper believes that what it calls an incompetent plot to remove Mr Duncan Smith was doomed to fail and has now collapsed.

Social snub

There's much discussion about new research by scientists in California, which suggests that pain caused by insult or rejection is perceived by the brain in a very similar way to a physical injury.

The Times explains that both kinds of pain can be observed in the same areas of the brain.

The Guardian sums it up neatly, saying that the brain experiences a social snub in much the same way as it does when you stub a toe.

The Independent devotes its front page to an analysis of conditions in Iraq, six months after American tanks rolled into Baghdad.

The paper argues that the US occupation has failed and has even provoked nostalgia for Saddam Hussein in some areas of the country.

The Financial Times also highlights concerns.

It cites a joint report by the UN and the World Bank which suggests that elements of US spending plans for Iraq are over-ambitious and could be disrupted by the unstable security situation.

Milkshake mystery

The Daily Express ploughs its own furrow, drawing attention to one of its favourite topics - the possibility of an impending pensions crisis.

It cites a report from Leeds University which claims that a third of people have not put anything aside for their old age.

The paper claims that millions of people will be forced to retire in poverty because they'll have to rely on what it describes as "miserly state benefits".

Finally, the Daily Mail reports on what it describes as a bizarre secret mission by the firm British Sugar to try to recall some of its stock.

The paper says the company sent operatives posing as ordinary shoppers to buy up supplies of Crusha milkshake in Tesco stores.

The Mail says the shoppers were instructed to explain their bulk purchases by saying they were throwing a children's party.

British Sugar defends its decision not to publicise the problem.