HAVING a big points lead over your rivals and playing in a red kit is no guarantee of success.

This was the warning which Tory MP Peter Luff gave to the Prime Minister in a chance encounter this week.

And he was not just talking about football.

The Mid-Worcestershire MP bumped into Mr Blair during the division lobby.

The Prime Minister was chatting with one of his civil servants about Manchester United's shock defeat at home to Bayern Munich.

Mr Luff could not resist: "Even when victory looks inevitable, you can still lose, he said to Mr Blair.

Mr Blair smiled and replied: Yes, I know.