Last night I attended the superb PubAffairs summer drinks. A great chance to meet up with lots of people in the public affairs world.

Then came my nightmare journey home. No trains leaving Kings Cross - though First Capital Connect got me to Peterborough where my lovely wife who had suffered an equally awful journey did a 2 hour round trip in the car to collect me from Peterborough.

That meant I got home late, had a shower and went to bed withought any thought of the Henley by-election. I have to say I never expected a result like that. OK the Tories were going to hold the seat - but Labour finishing behind the BNP and the Greens and losing their deposit! Did any Public Affairs professional predict that then?

Jonathan Sheppard