How Duncan Smith's inner circle left him high and dry

The astonishing gamble by Iain Duncan Smith, in which he warned the Conservative Party it must "unite or die", has thrown the spotlight on his inner circle of advisers.

As Tory MPs reflected yesterday on their party leader's desperate plea for unity, many wondered aloud why Mr Duncan Smith's team had allowed him to go ahead with his attack on the rebels he accused of undermining his leadership by voting for plans to allow gays to adopt children.

"He badly lacks advice on strategy and tactics – and this showed it," said one senior MP. "Instead of dampening down the crisis, he merely fuelled it." MPs also complained that there was no follow-through to his demand, saying it "looked bad" that he refused to take further questions after making his "personal statement" at Conservative Central Office.

MPs pointed out that the Tory leader could not threaten to take the whip away from the dissidents because he had declared in advance that MPs would not be disciplined over Monday's vote – even though it was officially a three-line whip. In a further chaotic twist, Tory peers were not subject to a three-line whip when the Adoption Bill was debated in the Lords on Tuesday, despite the Tory leadership's strong objections to gay adoption.

One critic said: "He and his advisers just didn't think this through. They should have played war scenarios on what would happen next. It was obvious that the so-called plotters like Kenneth Clarke and Michael Portillo would hit back. The strategy didn't last five minutes."

Another complaint is there was no follow-up operation to rally behind the beleaguered leader. When John Major issued his similar "back me or sack me" challenge in 1995, Tory backbenchers were dispatched to tell every journalist they could find that it was a brilliant move.

In contrast, Bernard Jenkin, the shadow Defence Secretary and a close ally of Mr Duncan Smith, cut a lonely figure as he briefed Westminster journalists on Monday. Some Tory whips – normally the leader's foot soldiers – could not hide their bemusement at his gamble.

Most party leaders are accused of adopting a "bunker mentality" at some point. Many Tory MPs believe that Mr Duncan Smith is not only in a bunker, but is not getting good advice inside it.

The Duncan Smith inner circle gathers at 9am each day in the boardroom at Conservative Central Office, when the Tory leader is normally joined by Michael Ancram, his deputy; Theresa May, the party chairman; Michael Howard, the shadow Chancellor; Oliver Letwin, the shadow Home Secretary; David Maclean, the chief whip; and Lord Strathclyde, the Tory leader in the House of Lords. Other shadow cabinet ministers attend when their subject areas are being discussed.

Officials usually at the meeting include Nick Wood, the head of media; Mike Penning, his deputy; Rick Nye, the head of the Tory research department, and Greg Clark, who heads the policy unit.

The list of absentees is also revealing. David Davis, ousted as Tory chairman in July, is no longer in the inner loop. He offered to be on the platform when Mr Duncan Smith made his personal statement, but the Tory leader declined. Instead, Mr Duncan Smith appeared alongside the three frontbenchers with whom he had discussed his "unite or die" move in advance – Mrs May, Mr Ancram and Mr Letwin.

Another problem identified by the leader's critics is the absence of a "heavy hitter" strategist. Dominic Cummings, the director of strategy, resigned in September, frustrated at the slow pace of modernisation.

Mr Cummings has not been replaced and the party's search for an experienced director of communications and strategy has not yet paid off. Fittingly, the Tories are looking for someone in the private sector who has successfully rebranded a failing product.

The advisers - Duncan Smith's team

Oliver Letwin

A surprise appointment as shadow Home Secretary but has proved one of the Shadow Cabinet's few star performers. Has abandoned "ya-boo" politics by praising the Government when it "gets it right". An acolyte of Sir Keith Joseph, he tripped up in last year's general election by suggesting the Tories would cut public spending by £20bn.

Theresa May

Became first female chairman of the party in July when David Davis was demoted. A surprise choice, since she was seen as a reticent media performer. She burst into the limelight at last month's Tory conference, saying the Tories were seen as "the nasty party". Acid test will be whether she can persuade party to select more women.

David Maclean

A close ally of David Davis, he backed his leadership bid last year but has upset the Davis camp by becoming an ultra-loyal "IDS man" as the party's chief whip. Supports a more modern approach to Parliament's practices. Turned down a job in the Shadow Cabinet, preferring to stay on as a junior Home Office shadow.

Owen Patterson

As Parliamentary Private Secretary to Iain Duncan Smith, he is his bag-carrier and "eyes and ears". Must now try to bolster support for Mr Duncan Smith and head off possible vote of confidence. Critics questioned his leaking names of four "plotters" to persuade their local Tory parties to put pressure on them.

Nick Wood

Top spin doctor as head of news and media, after serving as number two to Amanda Platell when William Hague was Tory leader. Former political journalist on The Times and the Daily Express, so experienced in Westminster's ways. He influences policy as well as presentation, and shares Mr Duncan Smith's traditionalist instincts.

Mike Penning

Burly spin doctor and a former firefighter, Territorial Army soldier and freelance journalist. A Eurosceptic, he ran the Conservatives Against a Federal Europe group. Ran impressive leadership campaign for Mr Duncan Smith last year. Will fight the marginal seat of Hemel Hempstead at the next election.