THERE'S been more political "realignments" at the city council this week with the Independents expelling the controversy plagued councillor, Carol Broad.

Cllr Broad, who hit the headlines after claiming £18 an hour babysitting allowances, will now attend meetings as a "free independent."

And the two MBI councillors who resigned from the group during the Carol Broad affair have returned to the ranks of different political parties.

Cllr David Kerr has returned to the MBI fold happy that the group's disciplinary action against Cllr Broad has been adequate.

But Cllr Nick Westwell has spurned his old party to join the Conservative ranks as a 'Conservative Independent'. He said the move was to ensure that his constituents are represented on the new cabinet.

Cabinet leader Tricia Heath explained the reason behind their expulsion and said: "The group decided that it could not condone, or tolerate Cllr Broad's recent behaviour. Carol has been an excellent chairman of housing and has worked extremely hard in Victoria Ward, it's very sad that it has come to this, but we feel she has fallen below the standards the public expect of an Independent councillor."

Cllr Broad reacted to the expulsion by saying she was "bitterly disappointed" by the MBI decision but vowed to continue at the council as a free independent.

Cllr Westwell said he took the decision to join the Tories because he believes the new council constitution will make it impossible for him to serve his constituents outside of a party.

He said: "I feel the best interests of my constituents will be served by joining a group that has representation on the cabinet. I'm aligned to them so that I can take part in discussions and have a voice as to what happens. The Conservatives were the only group I considered joining. We have similar views on some subjects, differences on others but, on the whole, they are who I think can represent me best."