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If the government were to reverse or water down those reforms, as some Labour MPs are urging, it would create a considerably larger financial headache for the chancellor in terms of meeting her fiscal rules.

Last week Ms Graham claimed the deal had been watered down - a point denied by the council.

But the mainstream success the show is enjoying is a sign of something more subversive being watered down.

She said the offer had been watered down by the council leader and government commissioners "who were not in the negotiating room".

The government tried to head off Wednesday night's revolt by watering down the restrictions, but also preserving the zones in Paris and Lyon.