Lame Ducks - Blair, Bush and Ansell

12.47.00pm GMT Mon 27th Nov 2006

Well we all know that Tony Blair and George Bush are Lame Duck Leaders now, but Tom Ansell of Walsall can be added to the list. Blair will be gone by September of next year, Bush has a term limit which expires in January of 2009. Tom Ansell, Leader of Walsall Council and Leader of the Conservative Group has announced he will stand down as Leader in May of next year. Does this mean he is a Lame Duck and can Walsall Conservatives really go in to next May's election with a Leader who will not be the Leader after the results?

I suspect Ansell will end up standing down as Leader before May, the Conservatives cannot really go in to next May's election without the person that want as Leader of the Council already at least leading the Group - Ansell could theoretically remain Leader of the Council and not the Group - just like Blair could continue as Prime Minister even if not as Leader of the Labour Party - neither are likely to happen.

I already know their is positioning amongst the Conservative Group at the Council, the field has already reduced to three from five when the announcement was made - everything I hear suggests it will end up being between two candidates but it remains to be seen.