Another fine mess.

Roy Bullock was a pivotal figure in the recent history of the Conservative Party in Tunbridge Wells. He held the positions of deputy chairman and election agent (for local and general election candidates), was the Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a Kent county councillor.

Then it unravelled. He lost his positions in the party, was ousted as leader of the council, de-selected as a borough council candidate and then suspended from the party. He remains a Conservative county councillor. The slide down the greasy pole has been dramatic, propelled by firm shoves from erstwhile colleagues. Such are the bald facts.

I refrain from comment on the reasons for this dramatic change in his fortunes as I do not have the ear of the dramatis personae.

What is disturbing is that Mr Bullock and the Deputy-Leader of the Council (David Jukes) are engaged in a public row courtesy of the local press. For Mr Jukes to expect Mr Bullock to act as an 'elder statesman' is asking too much of someone who has been on the receiving end of a political execution, deserved or not. Politics is a rough trade and Mr Bullock has tarnished his reputation by public denunciations of former colleagues.

They should take the following advice: