The row among the LibDems in Gillingham North is rather reminscent of the Mount Helen explosion a few years ago - slowly growing and then suddenly blowing its lid.
The politicians haven't got to the big bang - yet - but it could be about to happen.
Briefly, three Lib Dems were elected to serve in 2007. It surprised many, and hurt the Labour group who were convinced they would win.
Among their successes was Andy Stamp, a young, enthusiastic and optimistic politician they quickly groomed for higher office. He soon became deputy leader of the party's council group. After being blooded against the deputy leader of the Conservatives he quickly learned to stand on his own feet.
Then things started to go wrong within the group.
One of his colleagues, Cllr Cathy Sutton, had formed a relationship with a member of another party - a situation always open to suspicion.
Stamp was selected as the Lib Dems candidate for the Gillingham and Rainham constituency.
The constituency party covers two seats. The other is Rochester and Strood where the Group Leader, Cllr Geoff Juby, was the candidate (again).
The way this particular constituency party works is in keeping with the party name - democratically. Members could chose who they supported. Some helped Juby, some aided Stamp, and some worked for both. Others nodded sagely and stayed at home. The constituency chairman, a tough bird, hardened on Gillingham politics, is Alan Jefferies. His personal time was given to Cllr Juby's campaign.
Cllr Stamp considered he had a better chance of winning.
Neither did win, but there had been rows over where the election funds to support the campaigns should go. It led to regional investigations into any unfairness. They were pretty informal from what I understand happened, and they eventually rejected Cllr Stamp's allegations.
Meanwhile Cllr Sutton's friendship had broken up. She felt she urgently needed to find a new home.
The third member of the ward triumvirate, Cllr Maureen Ruparel, became involved. The two women went to see the council's housing chief, and were advised of a number of private landlords. Cllr Sutton moved out a few days later.
Cllr Stamp was unhappy at the process, and complained to the Standards Committee of Medway. It grinds through the processes exceedingly slowly. It has still not decided whether the two councillors should have taken a different course of action.
Unfortunately for the councillor, he had also lost the deputy leader's job, after putting all his effort into the race for the Leader's position. He resigned the group whip shortly afterwards, and then decided to resign from the party. In turn, it considers he is suspended - and therefore subject to disciplinary action.
May will soon be here: an election is looming.
The Lib Dems have not yet announced their team.
It would not include Cllr Stamp: he has formed an independent grouping seeking election. All three are ex-LibDems (a second is believed still to be a Lib Dem member).
You'd think that would be enough. Think again. Silently watching this scenario are the Labour candidates. Their grins are wider than the Cheshire Cat.
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