Before I start, news from Eastwood in Nottinghamshire;

Result:Eastwood South byelection (Ashfield Con)LD831.Ind 221.Lab 227.LDgain from Lab.Turnout18.4%Lab2nd by6!604 majority,65%of vote.

— Jason Zadrozny (@jzadrozny) February 7, 2013

Congratulations to candidate David Hallam and all of our team in Ashfield on this gain from Labour.

Made slightly more complex by the fact that our beloved site crashed late yesterday evening, we’re another day closer to the Eastleigh by-election. Unfortunately, I can’t get to Eastleigh, but am giving money instead. And if, like me, you’d really like to help but can’t get to Hampshire, you can do so by visiting the Eastleigh Liberal Democrats website and either give money or offer to do some telephone canvassing. They’ll appreciate it.

There were by-elections overnight in Forest of Dean, Hammersmith and Fulham and Stockton on Tees, the first two being Labour wards, the latter held by the Thornaby Independent Association. Hopefully, we’ll cover these later in the day.

Meanwhile, what do we have for your delectation and delight today? Well, our only remaining Co-Editor (does that make him Editor then?), Stephen Tall, offers five reasons why you should campaign in Eastleigh. I’m assuming that one of them is the prospect that, should the Tories not win, they’ll start fighting like rats in a sack, but do find out for yourselves.

James King thinks that we’ve got a little overheated about the same sex marriage rebels, whilst Helen Flynn is quietly satisfied that Michael Gove has been stopped in his quest to overturn most of our education system, at least for the time being.

Our regular(ish) preview of next week’s business in the Lords features, as a mark of respect to my friend Chris White (http://chriswhite.mycouncillor.org.uk/), a reference to Hertfordshire, and there’s also coverage of events in Europe this week.

And, you never know, we may have more for you as the day goes on. Particularly if one of you writes something…

* Peter Tyzack will be pleased to note that this column will return on 1 March…