So which Somerset MPs voted against removing a 'luxury' tax on tampons and sanitary products for women? What do you think? Vote in our poll.

A look at the votes shows that MP's in Somerset voted to keep a tax that has been branded outragious, including the county's only female MP.

More than 250,000 people have called on the government to "stop taxing periods" and reduce the 5% rate of VAT on sanitary items such as tampons.

Campaigners argued it is ridiculous for the items to be classed as a "non-essential luxury item", especially when books and newspapers, motorcycle helmets and other products are zero-rated.

Several signed up to the Labour amendment in the Commons which would have commited the treasury to challenging a Brussels ban on member states unilaterally exempting goods and services from tax.

The government says it cannot scrap the VAT because of EU law, although the European Commission has responded to the row by saying that a review of the VAT rules will take place in 2016.

MPs voted 305 to 287 to keep the tax on those products.

Those voting to make sure women across the UK continue to have to pay the 5% tax include:

  • Rebecca Pow, Conservative
  • Ian Liddell-Granger, Conservative
  • James Heappy
  • Marcus Fysh

What do you think?