Give us a break, Nick

It's reported that the writ for the Oldham and Saddleworth by-election will be moved tomorrow - by the Lib Dems!

What's unusual about that? you may ask: well, it was a Labour seat and usually the sitting party gets to move the writ and choose the date of the election. Not that "constitutional experts" are saying that the Lib Dems are doing anything "wrong" within our ancient, unwritten and ramshackle "constitution". It's just unusual. It hasn't happened in my lifeteime.

So why are they doing it? Why have a by-election on the 13th of Januray...virtually in the Festive Season, in the depth of winter and with the weather we've been having?

Suspicion falls on the students: they'll be off home for the break and not organised to oppose the Lib Dem campaign.

Can it be as simple as that?

Anyone else got a better idea?