With the wide assumption being that the next general election is now around a year away, a fascinating tussle is emerging in the Croydon Central constituency.

But at the moment it is being played out without one of the key elements, the sitting MP, Conservative turned independent, Andrew Pelling.

The game he is playing with the main political parties is simple enough – will I or won't I stand?

If you approach him directly, Mr Pelling will give a grin and state categorically it is all too soon for him to come to decision on something so important.

Mind you, he has been saying that for months and one suspects inside he really fancies another foray into the world of elections.

On the other hand, many of his former Tory colleagues will be quick to point out Mr Pelling does not like losing, stressing at the same time the chances of him winning are pretty slim.

That is not, however, enough of a confidence booster to make the Tories and their chosen candidate, Gavin Barwell, believe the election will be Pelling-free.

So their second line of defence is to fall back on the line that Mr Pelling has privately, but forcibly, made it plain he wants a Conservative victory and won't do anything silly like stand, split the Tory vote and let Labour in.

However, there is a feeling deep down that even that line lacks total confidence.

Certainly Labour's candidate Gerry Ryan believes Mr Pelling's name is likely to be on the ballot sheet.

Hence his decision to forsake the deputy leadership of the council's Labour group and his shadow cabinet post to concentrate on winning the constituency.

Life would be much easier for Labour if Mr Pelling throws his hat into the ring.

Cllr Ryan reckons Mr Pelling could pick up around 6,000 votes, most of them, he sincerely hopes, coming from the Conservatives.

The easy way out of all this would be for Mr Pelling to make a public statement.

However, there is a feeling among both major parties that Mr Pelling is the kind of chap who might keep them all hanging on until a week before official nominations close.A GROUP of fearless parishioners are leaping out of a plane to raise cash for a Pakistani school.

Melvyn Demman, Matthew Healey, Charlotte Bean and Edward Barker will be skydiving from 15,000 feet in Norfolk on May 23.

They are raising money to help a girls' school in Pakistan that is supported by St George the Martyr Church, in The Glade.

Mr Demman, 56, from Marigold Way, Shirley, said: "We're willing to jump out of a plane, so we hope people are willing to donate money to us."

If you would like to donate money to the cause, call 020 8654 8747.

*The Insider cuts through the political spin every week in our column. Got a tip-off? Email theinsider@croydonadvertiser.co.uk and leave the rest to us