Following the by-election results on June 29, it is clear we have in this country a Government that has run out of steam - and an official Opposition which can't cut it.

For Labour to fail to win Blaenau Gwent the seat of Nye Bevan and Michael Foot is an astonishing indictment of the Government. But for the Tories to suffer in Bromley, the biggest swing against them since they were in government, indicates no great enthusiasm for them either.

As for the Liberal Democrats, the beneficiaries of the Tories' troubles in Bromley, picking up almost all the previous Labour vote we can't wait until the country gets to pass judgement on the Government at the next election.

Steve Goddard, Parliamentary Spokesman, Oxford East Liberal Democrats