Nil Desperandum Auspice Deo

Or something like that, anyway.

After today's job losses in Sunderland, consider not only that the new Sunderland Central seat is full of Tory wards, but also that it is likely to be the first to declare on Election night. Not that that will affect the outcome anywhere else, of course. But for the first result in to be a Tory gain in Sunderland will certainly give both presenters and guests no shortage of things to talk about.

What's that you say? The Tories closed down the pits, the steelworks and the shipyards in the North East? Well, yes, they did. A generation ago now. What has New Labour done for the North East in the 13 most recent years, whether absolutely or compared to, say, the City? The people of Sunderland Central look set to answer that one.

Although it was entirely unexpected, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when this region, alone in the country, still put Labour at the top of the poll in the European Elections. But it looks as if the battered wife is finally about to stop going back for more.