Hilary's job on the line as red faced Tony misses vote

Oh dear, Tony! You've taken the Commons for granted once too often.

The Prime Minister's absence from the Commons last night resulted in the Government crashing to a humiliating one vote defeat  over a House of Lords amendment to the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke had no option but to announce that ministers were bowing to the Commons' will and the Bill would go as it stood for Roytal Assent. The new law restricts the offence of inciting racial hatred to threatening words and behaviour rather than a wider definition covering insults and abuse

It wasn't only Mr Blair's fault. Several Labour MPs voted with the opposition. But Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong was so sure the Government had enough votes that she not only told the Prime Minister he could have the night off, she also allowed 25 MPs to go walkabout in Scotland to canvas in the Dunfermline by-election.

Ms Armstrong was already under pressure - surely she will soon be replaced, perhaps before the votes on education reform which are crucial to Tony Blair's third term agenda.

One thing's for sure - our Hilary is so unpopular with Labour backbench MPs that no-one will miss her.