Councillors Jenny Barnard-Langston and her husband, Mark Barnard, have hit the headlines by defecting from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats.

But will the couple still be headline news in two years' time, after the local elections of next year? History is not encouraging.

Should they decide to stand again for their new party, it will be hard for them to win in the same areas as at present, especially in the new wards being created, because there the Lib Dems are well behind Labour and the Tories.

If they go to other parts of Brighton and Hove where the Lib Dems have a better chance, they will not carry all their local personal vote with them.

They are hard-working councillors with a good record of service to their communities but people tend to vote more for parties than for personalities.

Councillor Barnard-Langston is a conviction politician who was a memorable mayor. She and her husband should still have a lot more to offer the community as councillors.

They have followed their consciences by joining their new party and we wish them well. But even if there is a Lib Dem revival, survival could be a struggle.