We have witnessed the beginning of Andrew Eade's goodbye.

Oh, I expect Eade thinks he will be around for a long time yet. But Eade's decision to sacrifice Denis (the only honest politician on the council) Allen is the latest in a series of blunders which have put Eade on the highway to oblivion.

First mistake? In giving Steve Bentley a cabinet position only weeks after he was a leading light in the Labour Party.

Second mistake? In not giving Wellings the sack and advertising the job to someone from outside Shropshire.

Third mistake? In 'going native.' It is the belief of some that Eade has, indeed, gone native and that he has been floating in the sewer that was Telford and Wrekin for so long that he now smells of the same s*** that members of the Labour group smell of.

The tail (council staff) have been allowed to wag the dog (councillors) for far too long.

Rumours are that some council staff play the Ali G. game, http://www.boyakasha.co.uk/media/black.wav , so deem themselves to be untouchable.

Others (who shall be called The Friends of Keith Club) are still praying for the eventual time when Labour re-take the borough so that it will be all nice, like it used to be in the olden days.

In fact, they are doing more than praying for it, they are actively working towards this end. Probably against the law, but as they expect Uncle Keith to make it all better when he becomes council leader again, they are trusting that their luck holds out.

So, how long is it before other members of the Telford and Wrekin Tory group start to worry about which of them the FOKC will target next? Of course, they could decide to stop the problem by getting rid of the dupe of FOKC, Andrew Eade.

Tory Knives out for Andrew? Well, yes, I think so. Because if Andrew can sacrifice Denis Allen, who else will he decide must go in Andrew's best interest?

And the knives that do for Andrew will be wielded in self-defence.

What on EARTH might the FOKCers have on Andrew? Anything? Anyone know what it might be?

Blackmail. It is such an UGLY word. But a tool that has been used before when a councillor steps out of line and tries to tell officers to do their jobs.

Right on the ball Matt. There is nothing to add to it except to say that Dennis tried to play off all sides when he started. He upset people who had campaigned for him by giving into Bentley and officers during a so called consultation. Now he has been shafted.

Dennis will now be responsible for what happens next as should be stand down and go independent labour is back in. Bentley will have got what he wanted for a short time but Labour will regain control which means that power stays with Wellings and Odinaiyu

I think the upset was caused because at that point, Denis had not learned a very important lesson: That when a council officer tells a councillor their name, cross-reference it against their name badge, as they are probably lying to them.

I think Denis was set up from almost day one. I wonder if Liebour members from North Shropshire sent a warning? "Watch out for Denis Allen. He will not be a push-over. He's served in the army as an officer, so the dumb insolence trick will not work on him. You'll have to think about various ways in which to fit him up, if he will not play ball."

I agree completely Matt. Denis was set up and used as the fall guy. I now have the emails to prove it (to some extent)

Denis was not supported by his party or the party leader when he was up infront of standards years ago and the same has happened again.

Just to add, it was residents that supported Denis last time and the samhas happened again to some extent.

Have I got this right Andrew Eade is leaving the council ?. If this is the case I look forward to the next leader having a back bone.

Just speculation at the moment, Carol. This *is* the Rumour Mill section

Sorry Kath another senior moment or wishfull thinking.

We can all dream

Also, Andrew is not popular with some Tories in the constituency.

They have long memories.

And it is not the first time Andrew has done the dirty on a colleague, or so I am lead to believe.

He has, as they say, got form.

Likeable chap and all that... but is he to be trusted?

I can't see it myself.

Yes, he certainly has form for not defending Denis when it comes to the crunch.

One or two are saying is this karma for what Denis did at the initial Town Park Consultation ehen he gave Officers and Cllrs a second vote to swing issues in their direction after the residents left.

Or is it going to be Karma on AE for cocking up asset sales, selling out new start businsses etc etc.

Maybe his future is in the hands of a certain Cheif Exec?