Somerset County Gazette | Politics https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/politics/ Somerset County Gazette Politics en-gb Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:10:44 +0100 Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:10:44 +0100 https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/rss/terms/ M6 toby.granville@newsquest.co.uk (Toby Granville) webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk (Tim Joy) https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/resources/images/sitelogoalt/?type=rsslogo Somerset County Gazette | Politics https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/politics/ Somerset campsite owner speaks out on "catastrophic" 2,700 per cent rates rise https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26666961.somerset-campsite-tax-rises-28k-owner-speaks/?ref=rss Sat, 24 Oct 2026 11:00:29 +0100 1961fbf0698485dffb8d804d4359f99d a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Taunton MP calls for £14b cost-of-living package ahead of Budget https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26656641.mp-calls-14b-cost-of-living-package-ahead-budget/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 ca5610d0074c93feab4c898cbd1ba932 william.dalgleish@newsquest.co.uk | William Dalgleish Four new deputy lieutenants appointed in Somerset https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26654385.somerset-appoints-four-new-individuals-deputy-lieutenants/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 32f90fa5c0dc22096ff5f5d8e5389c9c jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Ten Taunton organisations awarded £5,000 a year for youth projects https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26661362.ten-taunton-organisations-receive-youth-project-grants/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 7e6175fe3ee508a948429f534a550087 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Somerset MP launches Christmas card competition for primary school children https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26661682.rachel-gilmour-launches-christmas-card-design-competition/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 354a5d8fec0e0ed0cfcc003cde59cb15 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts MP calls for £14bn package with 4,885 Somerset households in fuel poverty https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26660023.sarah-dyke-mp-calls-14bn-cost-of-living-package/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 a2be487e9fc24dc7dda602079ed114e5 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Lib Dem deputy leader to visit Yeovil businesses and cultural projects https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26660248.lib-dem-mps-visit-yeovil-businesses-cultural-projects/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 f9286db3d68f4029aaf5954bfeece709 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Work to begin on new bungalows in small Somerset village near A303 https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26664529.work-new-bungalows-near-a303-somerset-begin-soon/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:32:00 +0100 f4ebb224a92d79089c6b655e8a69c3a8 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Relief for village pub after 'extremely difficult' licence review https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26663316.ruishton-inn-keeps-licence-somerset-council-review/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 754b2d22dfca679a6f787ad2d22d7007 a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope End of an era as Somerset town’s weekly market prepares to close https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26663841.street-thursday-market-close-council-review/?ref=rss Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 b6a76bd59ec61827fdefc6f6c4ef6c90 a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Small Somerset villages urged to "amass evidence" to stop inappropriate housing https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26661849.somerset-villages-must-amass-evidence-stop-new-homes/?ref=rss Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:13:00 +0100 364d551e786d0ace77bbbad8ae328829 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Prime minister Andy Burnham backs new 'Wessex' devolution deal for Somerset https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26660484.somerset-share-mayor-dorset-wiltshire-2028/?ref=rss Thu, 22 Oct 2026 11:51:50 +0100 b9c7ee576aefa03cf72f68cfbe4c36bc daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Major progress made at notorious Somerset junction as £4m overhaul takes shape https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26657840.major-progress-4m-overhaul-deadly-somerset-junction/?ref=rss Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 928992a3dd8b52d05a105bc51b0bbef1 a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Four Somerset cadets appointed to support lord-lieutenant at official events https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26654164.four-cadets-named-somersets-new-lord-lieutenant-cadets/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 2d1c74c126a7abada1713364f3315da3 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Wellington could get new post office following Gideon Amos campaign https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26652276.wellington-get-new-post-office-mps-campaign/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 cec7caba66d44c71c11d9a2588f990c8 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Taunton remembrance events to feature parade and services https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26652462.taunton-events-honour-sacrifices-served/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 6d70b78d8fa9a274070dc52621c8e071 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Rain and new Devon passing loop needed to revive Somerset railway line https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26654261.wet-winter-new-loop-needed-revive-somerset-railway/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 1d59887b1e67915abd2488f69532f5e1 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Work to build 48 flats on key Yeovil regeneration site to begin in 2027 https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26651845.work-begin-48-flats-key-yeovil-brownfield-site/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 b4fb79a79ffec07bc52557de9314f322 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Regeneration of former Taunton Poundstretcher site back on the table https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26653642.new-plans-revive-tauntons-former-poundstretcher-site/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:10:00 +0100 ed1a117787f7c09165d42460cae4dac0 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Council issue road closure update after Morrisons traffic 'nightmare' in Taunton https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26653687.taunton-road-closure-scrapped-morrisons-traffic-chaos/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:13:33 +0100 0f1a21f7b4db5994e93d4b6266eb5e6a a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope CrossCountry boss pledges to consider new stop at Bridgwater railway station https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26652647.crosscountry-seriously-consider-new-stop-bridgwater/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:36:00 +0100 d79647a9da54f3470b54007f9edb1443 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby 'Perverse' plans for 70 homes near popular Somerset car boot site approved https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26650557.70-new-homes-approved-near-cheddar-car-boot-sale-site/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 55a5b3de3bdda0ade1b8b1a01bfb0d31 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Detailed plans approved for nearly 300 new homes near Chard https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26651242.detailed-plans-294-new-homes-near-chard-approved/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:53:00 +0100 f20586682f689387b7a52ffd1744951b a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Thousands of Somerset students take part in Active Bystander assemblies https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26644010.14-000-students-attend-active-bystander-assemblies/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 2ca1856f44b5a287fe11581671b57240 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Plans for new Lidl supermarket in Somerset village refused https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26647954.lidl-plans-cheddar-store-refused-wildlife-concerns/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 127ea15d3ed7b9326021da28d4198fd4 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Beloved Somerset rugby club urges council to back 'last chance' relocation plans https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26643882.wells-rfc-urges-somerset-council-approve-relocation/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 a455b163742f37399d5d201a73f75db9 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Regeneration of key town centre site may only deliver 153 'unaffordable' homes https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26643086.key-frome-site-turned-153-unaffordable-homes/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 c4fc576e13aa682f07b66090363a610f daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Somerset farmers face ‘Glastonbury ticket scramble' for government support https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26641487.somerset-mps-challenge-government-sfi-funding/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 d293cdb19440fcdbc140440dfdd8e9d5 a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Taunton council leader named Somerset’s young councillor of the year https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26643624.taunton-leader-named-somersets-young-councillor-year/?ref=rss Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 c8a5b702d3f1febb66b61d56447652a4 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Taunton planning decisions: October 2-8, 2026 https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26633433.latest-taunton-planning-decisions-october-2-8-2026/?ref=rss Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 a384db75f9b67f8cc3856e5e52e88ddb jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Family-run Somerset campsite sees business rate bill rise by 2,700 per cent https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26644158.somerset-campsite-business-rates-bill-rises-2-700-per-cent/?ref=rss Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 ff1e8c810827548efbe0a2d32f7d44e8 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby MP urges fair deal for rural councils as Somerset faces funding shortfall https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26644379.somerset-mp-urges-pm-restore-rural-council-funding/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 3c79ecbd0623b2c5887eaed890ffac16 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Somerset parents reminded to apply on time for school places https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26643557.somerset-parents-reminded-apply-school-places/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 8a0e153ab01f78eae1609c520fe7e6b6 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Somerset Council pushes for devolution funding boost after £5.2m windfall https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26638919.somerset-council-demands-devolution-deal-amid-5-2m-windfall/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 a2a67a2dde6b4624dfb46c582f11ef53 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Somerset Council defends 'fair' ten per cent rise in parking charges https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26642489.council-defends-10-per-cent-hike-somerset-parking-charges/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 c065a80eb6fafbdba51107f921658e7c daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Somerset residents urged to speak up during Hate Crime Awareness Week https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26634830.somerset-residents-urged-speak-hate-crimes/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 87825f6146fd35c71621bc60998a15b4 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Taunton landlords placed on waiting list for Renters’ Rights Act seminar https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26640462.landlords-join-waiting-list-renters-rights-act-seminar/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 4491c4edf46a79ad2835ac568ecb5cd5 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Small Somerset village loses out on £33,000 following council decision https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26639614.somerset-village-miss-33k-developer-funding/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 ba071edc5d148680c9793c32b76d9f00 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Green light for remaining 525 homes to be built on edge of Somerset town https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26639292.525-new-crewkerne-homes-approved-somerset-council/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 45cb427f236ef3fab9b7cd9b3a7851c4 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Calls for Royal Mail to be fined 'many millions of pounds' over Somerset delays https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26640427.ashley-fox-mp-calls-royal-mail-fines-postal-delays/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 43bfe5410a9096d5ea014030075b8089 a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Somerset social care academy could be shut down, Somerset Council admits https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26640787.mineheads-3-3m-social-care-academy-site-shut/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 94bcce635f96e0712a0c81b77e354c5e daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby New special needs places to be created in Somerset schools https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26629127.9-3m-committed-100-new-somerset-send-places/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 68425addb5565f0f7cf79e978c17868b daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby 'High suspensions' cause Ofsted concern at Somerset infant school https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26640691.somerset-school-told-six-areas-need-attention-ofsted/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 32aefd24d2208a5f2e1525ceb829aea9 a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope Rough sleeping support in Somerset receives £5.87m funding https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26635056.somerset-secures-5-87m-funding-tackle-rough-sleeping/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 0532545fdb7c670f01f9ba2de23df6bb jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Ex-Taunton MP Rebecca Pow talks politics and grief in new podcast https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26634397.former-mp-rebecca-pow-opens-politics-grief/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 592a3a5cb00e185e72d3bb323fa5bf04 jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts 'Unlawful' flags put up across Somerset town could be removed by council https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26640866.council-says-flags-put-across-chard-unlawful/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 1ae1416b5be61c8b60c2a1a7b3dcef08 molly.kirk@newsquest.co.uk | Molly Kirk Somerset Council U-turns on planned cuts to young carers https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26631089.somerset-council-scraps-planned-cuts-young-carer-support/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 67f61c41b6f3cc3f42d926188ba5ab10 daniel.mumby@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Mumby Rachel Gilmour reselected as Tiverton and Minehead Lib Dem candidate https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26632709.rachel-gilmour-mp-reselected-tiverton-minehead/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 a0ca7ee4b1fa83b1627b60843daaebfb jack.roberts@newsquest.co.uk | Jack Roberts Petition for new Musgrove Park maternity unit handed in at Downing Street https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26635047.taunton-maternity-unit-petition-taken-downing-street/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 a4be4abe3e3a1175e665384957b1c462 molly.kirk@newsquest.co.uk | Molly Kirk Flags installed on seafront of Somerset coastal town by social media 'flagger' https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26634639.flags-installed-minehead-seafront-social-media-flagger/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 a160ac5fde7cdfe66edbfea01d47a18d a.parnham-cope@newsquest.co.uk | Alex Parnham-Cope