Blair had already set up his 'default' losing position, as would any shrewd politician. The polls show that there is massive support in the country at large for the 90 day detention without charge, and Blair is in a perfect position to play heavily on that. He is weakened temporarily, but can you imagine how the Labour rebels and the opportunist Tories are going to be portrayed when the next terrorist outrage happens? There will inevitably be another one, from one source or another.
There were lots of delicious moments in this debate; Blair defeated when for once actually doing what most of the the people want; Michael Howard, by common consent once the most rabidly right-wing Home Secretary we've ever had, arguing for a more liberal approach to custody and habeas corpus. Great stuff, I might even start taking an interest again.
Tim from Bit on the Side