The road from Bosworth to Eastleigh

There was some heavy symbolism around yesterday as past skeletons surfaced under the media’s gaze in one form or another. Scientists fleshed out the likeness of badmouthed monarch Richard III whilst events finally conspired, so to speak, to consign ex-Lib Dem minister Chris Huhne to history.

The similarities continue apace among sections of the ‘serious’ press in that the respective downfalls of the individuals involved concluded and prefaced bloody wars of succession.

Peter Oborne of the Telegraph predicts a vicious contest between the coalition parties to win the former energy secretary's seat. He writes: "For activists of both parties, the prospect of all-out war is exhilarating. David Cameron and Nick Clegg it is a disaster. They can look forward to a prolonged spell of political schizophrenia."

The Lib Dem win over Conservatives at Eastleigh at the last election produced a 3,864 majority. UKIP came fourth behind Labour. Andy McSmith of the Independent reckons the result was caused by tactical voting by Labour supporters keen to keep the tories out. He also reminds us that the constituency is no stranger to the seat becoming vacant due to unfortunate circumstances.

There are less dramatic presages from Guardian correspondents who prefer to deal with the minutiae of the case itself - as does the Times. Both papers however cannot resist speculating on the effects that Huhne’s departure and the by-election result will have upon the personal standing of the coalition's leaders.

Of course, there are other pundits who point out that this is no northern Labour bastion. Given a fair wind, it may well be Nigel Farage and UKIP who end up making some history of their own. Or did Cameron have this scenario in mind when he announced his referendum? Hmmm.