Jenny Barnard-Langston's pathetic reasons for defecting to the Liberal Democrats should be treated with the contempt they deserve.

Barely seven months ago, she was touting herself around as the very embodiment of Conservative Party values when she stood as Hove's Tory candidate at the 2001 General Election.

No bleating then about the Conservative Party being a ship without a rudder.

Indeed, she saw herself as being right up there on the top deck, Shadow Education Secretary at the very least.

After her dismal General Election performance, which left many of her supporters feeling badly let down, it is strange how quickly this unbearably self-centred woman has become so disillusioned with the party.

Does anyone imagine if she had won Hove for the Tories (always an unlikely prospect) the thought of switching to the Liberal Democrats would ever have crossed her mind?

As for her ludicrous comments dismissing her former Tory colleagues on Brighton and Hove City Council as "consistently looking to personal ambition", the words kettle, pot and black spring readily to mind.

-Peter Lilley, Salisbury Road, Hove