THERE'S many ways to offend a Conservative MP - but with Coalition tensions at an all-time high mistaking one for a Liberal Democrat probably tops the list.

That's exactly what Worcester Councillor Alan Amos did while in a recent behind-closed-doors meeting with Redditch MP Karen Lumley.

Coun Amos, suffering from what can only be described as inexplicable confusion, not once but twice referred to Mrs Lumley, a True Blue Tory, as a "Liberal Democrat" during a round table chat about county council issues.

This is a politician who defeated former home secretary Jacqui Smith and was an active Tory going back to her days as a school pupil.

Coun Amos, of course, is a former MP himself but didn't defend his seat at the 1992 general election and obviously isn't paying much attention to parliament these days.

The ultimate irony here is that he was a Tory MP back in the day, but is now a proud Labour man.

No wonder he gets mixed up!

* MOST politicians at County Hall believed voting through a £165 million incinerator for Worcestershire was the right way to go - but not all of them.

In a bid to, erm 'put a lid' on any grumbles the county council's Labour group employed the whip and ordered its councillors to vote 'yes' as a group to get it over and done with.

But even that wasn't enough to chain down Councillor Paul Denham, who got up and walked off shortly before the votes were being taken before returning seconds after it was done and dusted.

Cllr Denham tells The Source a stomach problem was the reason for his disappearance. Convenient eh!

One wonders whether given his clear opposition to it during recent weeks, it may have been better to simply vote no instead.

After all one could argue Cllr Denham, a man of principle, deserves better than being reduced to taking a "walk of shame" to avoid the whip.

Surely group leader Councillor Peter McDonald wouldn't have been that bothered. Or would he?

* WHY did Nick Clegg cross the road? Because he told everyone he wouldn't.

* THE Source is now taking bets on when the South Worcestershire Development Plan will finally be signed off - if ever.

Ever since inspector Roger Clews delivered an autumn ambush by saying the current tally of 23,200 homes isn't enough, it's gone eerily quiet, save for West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin turning the air blue about it in parliament.

No wonder whispers are spreading like wildfire that this blasted document is still miles away from being ready to go.

Let's dangle the question. Will it be resolved at any point in 2014?