As post-by-election spin goes, saying everything is ok because at least your coalition partners won, is pretty bold.
The deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Sarah Newton, did just that as she sought to explain away the Tory's disastrous third place finish in Eastleigh.
Speaking to BBC news, Newton noted the Lib Dems had been in the lead for a while, she said: "It was their incumbent seat".
"Actually it’s good for the coalition that the coalition has kept a seat despite all the difficulties facing the Liberal Democrats and the coalition.
"Labour weren’t able to make any gains at all. I’ll stand on my record in my seat, as an effective hard working local MP, as my colleagues will across the country.
"But what people will be asking in 2015, do they want David Cameron, or do they want to hand the keys back to the people who crashed the economy, Ed Miliband, and Balls? I don’t think that is a realistic prospect in 2015."
Newton also repeated the claim to the Western Morning News, her local paper: "It was a Lib Dem seat to hold. They are part of coalition. It was a win for coalition."
The spin is unlikely to go down to well with many backbench Tory MPs, who fear a surge in Ukip support could lose them their seats and deny the party a majority in 2015.
Conservative education secretary Michael Gove took a different approach:"I don’t want to be like the Black Knight in Monty Python, who after receiving an injury, says, 'oh it's just a flesh wound'.
He added: "People are exasperated with politicians who try and put a positive gloss on bad news."
SEE ALSO: Crisis For Cameron As Ukip Beat Tories And Lib Dems Win
WATCH: Tory candidate Maria Hutchings' bizarre exit from Eastleigh count
Eastleigh By-Election
Eastleigh by-election(01 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates (left) after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour, Danny Stupple, Independent and Diane James, UKIP. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(02 of38)
The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate congratulates the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected Thornton will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(03 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(04 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(05 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(06 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(07 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Eastleigh by-election(08 of38)
Diane James, the UKIP candidate with Mike Thornton after beating the Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings into third place in the by-election at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(09 of38)
Diane James, the UKIP candidate celebrates after beating the Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings into third place in the by-election at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour and Danny Stupple, Independent. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(10 of38)
The Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings leaves the count at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire without making a coment after caming third after the Lib Dems and UKIP in the by-election. (credit:PA)
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The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates with his wife Peta after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(12 of38)
The Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where she came third after the Lib Dems and UKIP in the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(13 of38)
Prime Minister David Cameron and Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings leaflet drop residential homes, before the imminent by-election in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The by-election has been called as its former MP, Chris Huhne, resigned after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(14 of38)
Chancellor George Osborne wears a high visibility jacket as he makes a visit to the Prysmian Group factory and speaks to (L- R) employee Raj Guru, factory manager Steve Price, CEO Paul Atkinson and Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings in the constituency of Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Conservative party minister visit to the energy and telecom cable maker was to meet the party's candidate Hutchings ahead of the Eastleigh by-election on February 28 to elect a new MP, after Chris Huhne was forced to resign. (credit:PA)
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The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton kisses his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the expected declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
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The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the expected declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(17 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(18 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates with his wife Peta (centre) and family after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(19 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton hugs his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(20 of38)
The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate congratulates the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected Thornton will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(21 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(22 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Eastleigh by-election(23 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates (left) after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour, Danny Stupple, Independent and Diane James, UKIP. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(24 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(25 of38)
Conservative supporters share a packet of mints while waiting for the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(26 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
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The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband speaks to former Liberal Democrat voters during his visit Eastleigh in Hampshire where he met prospective parliamentary candidate John O' Farrell (right) during the by-election campaign. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(29 of38)
A general view of the ballot papers being counted at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(30 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(31 of38)
A general view of the ballot papers being counted at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(32 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
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The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
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The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
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The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(36 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(37 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(38 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)