THIS particular hack raised an eyebrow after seeing that the Tories had secured all the plum jobs on Worcester City Council last week - at least the ones that count on paper.

Yet the Blue Brigade is going to rely on the support of the Association of Independents to outvote its Labour counterparts.

So I can't help wondering what is Mike Layland, the leader of the Independents, getting out of the process.

You can bet your last euro that it's more than satisfaction at seeing the smiles wiped off Labour faces after 20 years of ruling Worcester.

Could the railwayman-turned-retail security company owner be intending to act as a backseat driver, steering Worcester City Council to happier, sunnier times ahead?

Maybe Coun Layland and his three Independent colleagues are content to enjoy a honeymoon period for the time being.

But surely it won't be long before the Gang of Four start asking for a few concessions from a Tory group that could become as smug as the lot it replaced unless someone reminds them about accountability.

After all, if the Independents continue to vote en bloc with the Conservatives it's going to be a mightily boring year - and I might have to dub the association the "Tindies" to describe their political allegiance.