Are we set for a 3rd by-election already?

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Today Labour faces the first by-election test of the parliament. The second will come soon in Barnsley Central. But could we be about to see the third by-election announced? Jon Craig at Sky News has the scoop:

“I can reveal, there is likely to be a third byelection, in Leicester South, because Labour MP Sir Peter Soulsby is tipped to become his party’s candidate for Mayor of Leicester in an election in May and is expected to quit the Commons if he is successful.”

“The selection of Labour’s mayoral candidate in Leicester is due in late February or early March, I’m told, and senior Shadow Cabinet allies of Ed Miliband tell me Labour would like to hold the Barnsley and Leicester South byelections on the same day.”

This makes sense, not just because Soulsby has a track record in local government, but also because by defending two safe seats on the same day – which should produce two Labour holds – a sense of momentum can be built up by Team Ed over his performance in elections.