For residents of Goldsmid ward, it has certainly been an interesting week so far in politics.

First, Tory Councillor Barnard-Langston switches to the Lib-Dems after less than 12 months carrying the hopes of the local Conservatives to win back Hove in the General Election.

That was closely followed by Councillor Bennett also resigning from the Tories, the final straw being her Tory group fielding a rival candidate for mayor.

There certainly does seem to be a split locally between the traditional Conservatives and the new Lib-Dem Tory rebels.

There is much talk of New Labour being very much Old Tory but what of this New Lib Dem group on Brighton and Hove City Council that is actually 40 per cent Old Tory?

This week, Goldsmid has been represented by Tory, Labour and Lib Dem but I doubt we will see anything new.

That shows just how close these three political parties have actually become.

-Gordon Hudson, Highdown Road, Hove