The Lib Dems took control of Cornwall County Council in May 2005 and won the five parliamentary seats, following a personal and spiteful campaign against the one sitting Labour MP, Candy Atherton.

Since then, their popularity has slumped as they doubled their own allowances, cut budgets and raised council tax. Their MPs supported them, claiming it was all the Labour government's fault. (Where have we heard that before...oh yes, in just about every press release the Cornish Lib Dems issue).

In 2006, Malcolm Brain, a councillor of 12 years standing, left the party accusing MP Julia Goldsworthy of 'hypocrisy of a high order' and said his decision was strengthened by the sight of said MP 'cavorting around with so-called celebrities' on the TV games show. 

This year, seven more councillors have taken the exit door, with comments such as  "I left because it had all become a farce" and "too many lies, backstabbing and tales being told behind closed doors".

Meanwhile the people of Cornwall suffer cuts to fire services, millions wasted on failed projects and consultants and the apathy of their MPs, who find it more convenient to ask government for extra money than to sort out the mess their own party is creating. 

This year, the five MPs supported their party colleagues' bid for unitary status and convinced government to give the go ahead. Now, having noticed the arrogance of the bid for more power has angered Cornwall's voters, the MPs are fearing the backlash and slowly backing off, leaving the local government reorganisation in chaos.

Roll on the next election! It's likely that St Ives MP Andrew George will find himself a lone Lib Dem surrounded by Labour and Tory MPs.