WITH 'cardboard Ed' still missing at County Hall, the conspiracy theorists are out in full force - but The Source is wondering if Labour's answer to this bizarre problem may be closer to home.

Until now, the common thinking was that a cheeky county council officer is hiding this life-sized cut-out to wind up Councillor Peter 'call the cops' McDonald, the Labour group's rather excitable leader.

It's now being increasingly suggested that rather than a member of staff, or any Tory politician, one of Labour's own lot has stashed away this cheapo cut-out as part of a humorous PR stunt gone wrong.

"It's definitely not one of us, we don't even have access to the room, and a member of staff wouldn't have done that," says one adamant Conservative.

"It's one of their own lot for a bit of publicity."

If anyone wants to own up, you know where I am.

* STUCK for news, the BBC has decided to try and do a 'coalition special' for its West Midlands Politics Show this Sunday, which is raising some chuckles at the Guildhall.

The programme's hacks are focusing on Worcester City Council, asking the question 'do coalitions work', despite the fact we haven't got a coalition, but a mere minority administration.

Today they are shooting for it at the Guildhall, asking for input from the Tories, Labour, Green Party and Lib Dems, who certainly won't be holding any hands as the microphone is passed round.

* TALKING of television, Worcester MP Robin Walker is making an appearance on the show this weekend, giving him a welcome platform as the General Election battleground starts to form.

I wonder if our man will tart himself up as much as David Cameron, who appeared to be suspiciously plastered in something glossy as he kicked off the 2015 campaigning alongside that 'road to a stronger economy' poster on Monday?

* A READER writes in with a 2015 political prediction for The Source - 'a major party will nick at least one Monster Raving Loony Party policy for the General Election, and pass it off as their own'.

Just the one?