RICHARD W. SYMONDS (RWS) - INDEPENDENT ANALYST

So, Marcella Head has defected from the Lanzer Conservatives to the Seeking Lib Dems - that was a very neat political manoevre !!!

REPORTER ADRIAN PEARSON, CRAWLEY NEWS, 'TOWN LEADERSHIP IS NOW UP FOR GRABS', DECEMBER 13 2006 :

"The minority administration will in effect only rule with the say-so of the other parties. In the worst case scenario Labour and Liberal Democrats could eventually ask for a vote of no-confidence in the Conservative administration, which would result in a new leader been(sic) chosen.

"If the two opposition groups put aside their differences they could go for a coalition and elect a new leader which could be either Brenda Smith or Gordon Seekings"

CLLR BRENDA SMITH (LAB) :

"Bob Lanzer's claim of strong leadership came from not having an effective opposition. We can all be a strong leader if we don't take into account any other views. He will now be forced to listen" (Source : Crawley News, December 13 2006)

CLLR CLAIRE DENMAN (CON) :

"We have a good working relationship with the Liberal Democrat Group, more so than the Labour Group, whose agenda appears to be one of causing maximum disruption within the council" (Source : Crawley News, Letter, December 13 2006)

RICHARD W. SYMONDS (INDEPENDENT - 'FAILED AGAIN')

"Roll on next May - and watch your back - and the long knives"