Locally Sauced

Last night, Labour won four local council by-elections.

It took two seats from the Conservatives.

It took one from the SNP. Under STV in Scotland, remember.

And it held Chopwell and Rowlands Gill, which, though in Gateshead in name if not necessarily in spirit, will be part of the new parliamentary constituency of West Durham and Teesdale.

Chopwell is of course England's Little Moscow, with Scotland's at the Vale of Leven, and with Wales's at Maerdy.

But no one has ever called Rowlands Gill "Little Moscow", and it has twice the population of Chopwell.

Also last night, the Conservatives lost two local council by-elections to the Liberal Democrats.

These are the real votes that are being in cast in Britain at the moment.