OF course, polls and by-elections can mean all things to all men. So yesterday morning's by-election results were a satisfying scoredraw according to Labour, a famous victory for the LibDems and an unsurprising performance on someone else's patch according to the Tories.

In truth, it was a fine performance by the LibDems whose anti-war stance is clearly popular, especially in these seats with large Muslim populations. There will, though, be a tinge of regret that the LibDems didn't win both seats, and there will also be an awareness that the LibDems' history is full of such historic results which have never been translated into real power.

For Labour, it was Health Secretary John Reid who talked about the "scoredraw", so when the football season starts don't take any coupon-filling tips from him. In truth, just 460 votes prevented Labour suffering a double defeat and huge embarrassment.

Yet despite the huge swings against Labour, there are still people in the country prepared to elect them.

Which is more than can be said for the Tories, lingering in third in the same state as when Iain Duncan Smith was removed.

The truth was discovered by last night's Newsnight poll. While 56 per cent are dissatisfied with Labour, just 27 per cent would rather have a Tory government.

Tony Blair has many serious problems, but Michael Howard's are magnified.