Today's papers react to last nights developments in the Commons:

Telegraph

"When it came to the votes on the amendment and the motion, Mr Blair got his way. But the size of the rebellion on the first is a severe dent to his authority which can only be repaired by a successful military campaign leading to the removal of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the establishment of representative government. In the meantime, the prime minister can, perhaps, take some comfort from his critics' signal failure to come up with a convincing alternative to his policy."

Guardian

"MPs often talk a lot of twaddle about major parliamentary occasions. But on this occasion, and in spite of the result, there is some justification for the self-congratulation. Yesterday was a reminder that MPs really do matter, not just for their votes, not just for their speeches, but also for their seriousness...The result of the votes is desperately serious and it leaves a heavy, foreboding feeling. But the quality of the event ought to be a cause for hope. These were serious people, debating serious questions and doing it seriously. It was a reminder that we sneer at parliament at our collective peril."

Times

"Mr Blair will not buckle in response to a parliamentary protest. A second resolution of itself will not bring all the dissenters into line, nor would the failure to achieve one because of a solo veto cast by France necessarily undermine him. Stalemate at the UN, though, especially if combined with equivocal remarks from Hans Blix, would make his political life exceptionally uncomfortable. His words at prime minister's question time yesterday implied that he would proceed with war, even in the event of a hopelessly divided UN, if the demands on Iraq outlined in resolution 1441 are not realised. A majority of Labour MPs are blindly hoping that such a situation will never materialise. Mr Blair may suffer far larger and more damaging revolts if he does not prepare his party for it. The stakes for him personally are, on last night's evidence, now enormous."

Independent

"Mr Blair can still count upon the traditional advantages of an incumbent leader and prime minister. But he would be stretching the elastic of his party's loyalty too far if he tried to defy the UN and supported unilateral action by president Bush. He would certainly not survive a war that went disastrously badly. He may be safe for now, but Mr Blair has been rapidly drawing on his reserves of goodwill."

FT

"The scale of last night's rebellion...was bigger than many of the prime minister's supporters had expected. It has emphasised yet again the importance of securing the support of the United Nations security council for any action against Iraq. The scale of the rebellion is still a sign that even in Britain - the US's most loyal ally - public opinion is not convinced that president George W Bush's strategy is right. And for Mr Blair, it is an uncomfortable reminder that over-riding such misgivings could threaten his premiership if the outcome is a prolonged or messy conflict."

Sun

"Hours of hot air in the Commons - often with the chamber almost empty - produced nothing to justify giving Saddam Hussein more time to obey UN orders. There were lots of open mouths but even more closed minds. Jack Straw made yet again a clear case for taking action against Iraq to force it to disarm. But most of his opponents just didn't want to listen. Their anti-Israel, anti-America and anti-Blair prejudices blinded them to the obvious. If the UN allows Saddam to keep on playing his games, it loses all authority and credibility. Then who will keep world peace?"

Mirror

"By any standards this was a spectacular and devastating rebellion... The final vote was not a victory for Tony Blair in any true meaning of the word. It was a victory for parliament and those MPs who speak for the majority of the British people. Tony Blair must not think he now has a mandate for a deeply unpopular and dangerous war."

Mail

"What was impressive in all this is that after six years of being scorned, sidelined and reduced virtually to irrelevance, this historic chamber has again proved - in a moment of huge national significance - the value of great debate to our democratic process. For Mr Blair - and nobody can but admire his resolution and courage - the next few weeks will be the loneliest of his political life."

Express

"The prime minister could be left permanently damaged within his own party. Even his luckless predecessor as premier, John Major, never suffered as large a rebellion by his own MPs...Nevertheless, Mr Blair is right to stick to his conviction that Saddam understands only one language: the threat of military action if he does not comply with the UN weapons inspectors."