Laing has 122 votes, Bryant 120. Unless the candidates who withdraw transfer disproportionately to one of them, Hoyle seems to be home and dry.
The candidates for the Speakership competed to show how different they will be from the man who has just stepped down.
If they want a more old-fashioned product, they may go for Lindsay Hoyle. If someone more like the present incumbent, for Harriet Harman.
Watch for a pre-referendum announcement of enquiry of one kind or another into the “Battle of Orgreave” during the miners’ strike.
The Leader of the Opposition was lazy, limp and lacklustre. Labour must be able to do better than this.
And I’m having none of that nonsense about Dry January.