“A Gladys Miracle”, the Sunday papers shouted. The miracle narrative has left the station. We will soon, no doubt, be adding “historic” and, dare one say it, “unprecedented”, to the story of the Upper Hunter by-election. Really?   

Was the by-election win for John “Pork-Barrell-aro” and the Nationals either a miracle, or worthy of right-of-centre celebration? Yes, there was a clear swing to the Government.