People keep talking about there being a by-election in the seat, but strictly speaking it would a re-run of the contest held at the general election in May.

Nonetheless, the Electoral Commission tells me that the spending limits which apply will be those for a by-election ie. £100,000 per candidate, rather than the usual limit these days for seats in a general election of around £12,000-£13,000.

That is bad news for Labour and the Lib Dems, who have very little money. And good news for the Tories who are flush with funds and could easily find £100,000.

When a real by-election was held in 1995 in the Littleborough and Saddleworth seat (covering much of the same area) Labour spent about £500,000 pounds on their campaign, about 20 times the-then legal limit.

And their candidate, Phil Woolas, still lost.

This time the parties had better be a lot more careful when (and if) the re-run takes place. After all, parties won't want to be caught breaking the law, and face the embarrassment of a second re-run.
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Manifesto launches, like Cabinet meetings, seem to have become a new branch of regional policy, with huge benefits to Virgin Rail.

It's great to see figures such as Alistair Darling, Ed Miliband, Tessa Jowell and their advisers all travelling second class.

Just like me, I should stress.