Conservative MPs react to finishing third in by-election
Conservative MPs have been tweeting after the party's candidate, Maria Hutchings, finished third in the Eastleigh by-election:
Gutted. Lovely woman would be great MP. Got to start work now - have a great day ! (Palin-esque)
From @claire4devizes on Twitter:Pinch punch first of the month-not the best start to the month from Eastleigh. Commiserations to Maria, stick at it though
From @timloughton on Twitter:So. Apart from all that, how's it going.....
From @DouglasCarswell on Twitter:Watch: Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings ignores reporters
Tory backbenchers' reaction to Eastleigh is critical
The Conservative Party has a habit of turning a drama into a crisis. Especially when the background to the drama is Europe.
The wider political impact of the Eastleigh by-election
The wider political impact of parliamentary by-elections often turns out to be more important than the result – Eastleigh is no exception.