Lorna's Saved

Amazing. The illicit texting is saying that Lorna Fitzsimons has actually held her seat in Rochdale with a doubled majority of c 3,000. Her constituency is where Blair became a Stottite. And we had no idea how it would go. Because there wasn't enough information.

Lorna is certainly flamboyant in the way Rochdale expects post-Cyril Smith. But on all the key issues she's Blairite. Not just loyal and disciplined with a heavy heart. Actually gung ho Blairite.

I tell various people this news. They are delighted. I'm just amazed really. Even with backing from Stott ("Councillor Tom") and other local Labour people it seems a miracle if Lorna's pulled off an escape from a majority under 2,000.