Blair loses on 90 day detention

The British House of Commons has handed Tony Blair a stinging defeat on his anti-terrorism legislation, voting 322 to 291 to reject his demand to allow the Police to detain suspected terrorists for 90 days without charge. But while pleased, it's not exactly a victory - they then turned around and voted for 28 days instead. This is still a gross infringement of Habeas Corpus, and an entirely unnecessary one given the police's ability to amend charges at will. On the other hand, it could have been much worse. And on the third hand, we will get another chance to gut this law in the Lords, who if anything are more Bolshie than the Commons over it...

As for Blair, this rebellion has fatally undermined his authority. He put his mana on the line over this, and lost. It will be difficult to continue as PM or maintain party discipline on legislation after this, and he should begin making plans for a transition. It's either that, or his party will make those plans for him...