Lee Anderson’s decision to defect to Reform sent shockwaves through the Conservatives.
From backbenchers to the top of the party, it was widely believed his flirtation with Nigel Farage’s party was just that.
Mr Anderson is popular with MPs and has a strong, tight knit group of friends.
They were working hard behind the scenes to find a solution and were confident that after a few weeks to let the dust settle he would be back.
Mr Anderson met chief whip Simon Hart for talks last Monday that were understood to be amicable and the pair were due to meet again.
The stumbling block was always whether Mr Anderson would apologise for words that by his own admission were clumsy.
But senior figures in the party believe it was made clear there was a way back for him and believed they were almost there in finalising a deal.
Mr Anderson’s defection is a big blow to the Conservative Party.
He was popular with voters in the red wall areas Boris Johnson won for the Tories for the first time.
Plain speaking is in short supply in Westminster and Mr Anderson’s ability to connect with voters was a big asset.
The real problem comes for Rishi Sunak if any more of his MPs decide to follow suit.
Reform insist they are in advanced talks and suggest as many as nine could make the leap.
But even MPs fundamentally opposed to the Prime Minister believe that is highly unlikely.
Party sources suggest that a couple of Tories who have been approached have told Mr Tice to “get lost”.
Being a member of a small party without the support, camaraderie and crucially, cash, needed to run a successful campaign is a huge decision.
Mr Anderson is now bookies favourite to hold his seat.
But none of the MPs whose names are being chatted about as possible defectors have even half of his profile and are unlikely to cut through when the general election battle begins.
In reality, voters will have a choice between Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer as the next prime minister and that will focus voters’ minds.
