51.   Labour candidates suffered a crushing defeat on Thursday in by-elections in Cork.

52.   Labour candidates routed incumbents in Tory strongholds throughout the country.

53.   Richardson, who was deeply unpopular last year after a series of tough welfare cutting budgets, only narrowly won her seat over a strong Labour candidate.

54.   The Labour candidate, with his chestnut brown hair and smart necktie, has the air of a teenager who has grown up too quickly.