THE Conservative MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, Ian Liddell- Grainger, has received a ‘vote of no confidence’ from within his own party – fewer than four months before the General Election.

At a meeting this month, West Somerset Council’s Conservatives group passed by “a clear majority” a motion calling for Mr Liddell-Grainger to be deselected.

Council leader and Conservative, Tim Taylor, said Mr Liddell-Grainger had made “inaccurate and ill-informed” comments to the media about the council, and that many Conservative councillors were “horrified” by the MP’s behaviour.

He added: “We are very disappointed the Conservative hierarchy haz not taken any action to stop him and his behaviour towards the council has been unprecedented.”

Cllr Taylor specifically highlighted comments made by Mr Liddell-Grainger about issues including Hinkley Point C, West Somerset Council’s partnership with Taunton Deane Council, and the council’s actions over coastal erosion at Blue Anchor.

He said: “There have been many inaccurate and illinformed comments in the press undermining the council, particularly over the Blue Anchor issue.”

Cllr Taylor also said a “lack of support” from the Conservative hierarchy over Mr Liddell-Grainger’s behaviour was one of the reasons he has decided not to stand for re-election, as reported in last week’s County Gazette.

The final straw, said Cllr Taylor, was when Mr Liddell-Grainger posted a picture on his blog, of a meeting in Westminster about the Somerset Rivers Authority, in which he (Cllr Taylor) was airbrushed out.

Deputy leader of West Somerset Council, Kate Kravis, said she supports Cllr Taylor’s stance.

She said: “I’ve worked closely with Tim for many years and I have seen it all first hand. “It’s very unfortunate the timing of the vote of no confidence is near the election but that was Mr Liddell- Grainger’s decision when he decided to airbrush Tim out of the photo.

“I don’t want this to be seen as a spat between two men because it isn’t that, it’s about what is best for West Somerset.”

The Somerset Labour group has described the affair as a “Tory civil war”.

However, the Conservative Association of Bridgwater and West Somerset has given its backing to the MP.

Julie Nicholson, chairman of the Bridgwater and West Somerset Conservative Association, said: “Ian Liddell-Grainger is the Conservative Party candidate for the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency, and I have every confidence in him.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger declined to comment.