OUR esteemed leaders on the county council would probably argue there’s no such thing as too many Tories. In fact, they could do with a few more to secure a working majority.

But in a rare turn of events, they ended up with one Tory too many on a key committee. Councillors had been called from far and wide, it seemed, to be substitutes for other Conservative colleagues on the county’s planning committee.

But the larder was somewhat overstocked as Melinda Tilley, above, Judith Heathcoat and Kevin Bulmer all arrived to Monday’s meeting to replace just two missing councillors.

The two cabinet members stood firm, and a less than amused Mr Bulmer left the meeting. Feeling a bit blue, no doubt.

MEANWHILE, Thames Valley Police’s communications department was left unable to communicate after the heavens opened, below.

After a spell of lovely weather, the storm clouds gathered and TVP HQ in Kidlington was struck by lightning.

Journalists at this august publication then spent the rest of the day trying, and failing, to get in touch with the press team. Some have speculated that the lightning was all an elaborate plan to stop giving out information to the press, but The Insider is, quite clearly, a lot less cynical.

Also, we wouldn’t want to anger people of faith by daring to suggest that anyone other than the Lord Almighty has control over lightning. We’ve all seen Fantastia. We know it’s the bloke in the clouds throwing sticks of it at the earth.

WHILE most new councillors are adjusting perfectly well to their new seats on the county council, Mark Cherry, pictured, probably needs his a bit closer to the projecter screen.

During Monday’s planning meeting, the councillor – who was part of Labour’s crusade which swept the map in Banbury in May – got a bit confused.

Commenting on plans for Bicester’s new primary school at Kingsmere, Mr Cherry launched a scathing attack on the design, contrary to the views of all of his colleagues.

Only problem was he was in fact commenting on a picture the committee was shown of a school that Cherwell District Council would like to see on the Kingsmere estate – policies the committee he sits on challenged minutes beforehand.

We applaud Mr Cherry’s enthusiasm and attention to detail, but alas we fear it won’t be long until he’s just as disenfranchised as the rest of them.