Okay. So I wouldn’t normally go to Salford council’s mayor-making. But when Hazel Blears is there as a guest of the incoming first citizen (congratulations, Coun Lightup), then I can hardly refuse.
She seemed remarkably chipper. It probably didn’t hurt that the briefings coming out of Number 10 were more supportive than they were last night. There was no heckling from the Conservative councillors, either; presumably out of respect for the dignity of the office. (Mayor of Salford commanding more respect, it seems, than Speaker of the House of Commons.) Or perhaps they were just tired after a four-hour council meeting.
And all this, of course, on the eve of a by-election in the Irwell Riverside ward. Labour is defending a majority of 551, but these are extraordinary times. One party member involved in the campaign told me recently: “If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on anyone but Labour.” The result will tell us a lot about the public mood, whether it is Labour or all parties who are suffering – and about Ms Blears’ future, of course.

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