Do the numbers tell the story?

So Ed Miliband has passed his leadership test, with the MPs backing moves to scrap shadow cabinet elections.

There were 196 in favour and 41 against - which points to a significant rebellion.

But do the numbers tell the real story? One Labour MP told me earlier today that they'd been asked to consider voting against (in the secret ballot) to make it look like Ed had secured a hard-won victory, showing his authority.

Unless the 41 objectors go public, we'll never know if it happened.

Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse