Swivel-eyed splits

It's always fun to watch fringe parties consuming themselves as the massed egos clash:

The UK Independence Party was in disarray last night after its members turned on Robert Kilroy-Silk, its brightest star, and attempted to block him from standing for Parliament.

Less than two months after its triumphant performance in the European elections, the UKIP's honeymoon period came to an abrupt end with fierce infighting over the selection of a candidate for the Hartlepool by-election in autumn. Mr Kilroy-Silk, a former television presenter, had voiced his intention to stand in the seat made vacant by the appointment of Peter Mandelson as EU commissioner.

Senior party members, however, have moved to block him after claims that he openly flaunted his leadership ambitions...

Many people believe that the former Labour MP is the only candidate capable of mounting a campaign that can challenge Labour.

Those close to Roger Knapman, the UKIP leader, think otherwise. One party member said: "Keeping Kilroy down has become more important than getting an MP." The winning candidate is likely to be a relatively unknown local activist...

Many veteran UKIP members, however, are bitter that Mr Kilroy-Silk has stolen the limelight since he was elected as MEP for the East Midlands in June. Although Mr Knapman, the former Tory MP for Stroud, has led the party since 2002, Mr Kilroy-Silk has been the star of the show since the elections, when he attracted the most publicity.

Allies of Mr Knapman fear that if the "housewives' choice" succeeds in becoming an MP it would make his leadership aims unstoppable.

On a related matter, I do wonder if there's going to be one last twist in Hartlepool when Mandelson decides he doesn't want to become a Commisioner and there's no by-election after all the sound and thunder.