Today voters in Knowsley
North have been at the polls to elect a successor to Robert Kilroy Silk. This is one of Labour's safest seats, and observers will be watching the performance of both the Conservatives and the Alliance to see how accurate recent opinion polls have been. David Dimbleby introduces this Newsnight special, with Professor Anthony King of Essex
University. Vincent Hanna will report live from the declaration, with analysis from Peter Snow and the election computer, and first reactions from Sir Robin
Day's guests in the studio. Director CHRIS FOX Editor RICHARD TArr