SOMERSET County Council’s two main parties have clashed over the future of a military base near Taunton – despite both of them wanting to keep it open.

The government has confirmed that it will be closing the Norton Manor camp in 2028, with the 40 Commando Royal Marines which are currently based there being relocated elsewhere in the south west.

At a full council meeting in Taunton on Wednesday (November 26), Liberal Democrat councillor Simon Coles put forward a motion calling on the authority to oppose the closure and to lobby both the defence secretary and all Somerset’s MPs.

But all hell broke loose when a Conservative councillor attempted to change the proposal to single out the efforts being made by Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow to save the camp.

Mr Coles estimated that personnel at the camp contributed between £10m and £14m to the local economy each year.

READ MORE: Marine base WILL close, despite 'reassurance' from Minister

He said: “This is a very important piece of our military history in Somerset. We’ve had 40 Commando here since 1942. The covenant we have with our armed forces is such that we should honour them, and the service they provide to this country is exemplary.

“The benefits of having them here is immense. It’s not just the marines and their officers that are important – it is the wives and families who provide support, it is the local schools and businesses that benefit from them.”

Mr Coles proposed the following three courses of action:

* The council should oppose the closure and support the retention of 40 Commando within Taunton Deane

* Council leader David Forthergill should write to defence secretary Gavin Williamson MP, urging him to rethink the decision

* Mr Fothergill should write to all Somerset MPs to lobby for this rethink, with any responses being placed on the public record

Conservative Councillor Giuseppe Fraschini criticised the motion, stating that it was “too political” and accusing Mr Coles of “trying to score points ahead of the local elections next year”.

He put forward an alternative set of proposed actions centred around Ms Pow’s campaigning – namely:

* The council will continue working with Rebecca Pow and Taunton Deane Borough Council to “advance the case” for keeping the base open

* Mr Fothergill will write to Mr Williamson, outlining “support for Rebecca Pow MP’s campaign and opposing the closure of the camp”

* Mr Fothergill will write to all of Somerset’s MPs to lobby against the closure

Mr Fraschini’s proposal prompted laughter in the council chamber – and burning rage from Mr Coles.

He said: “I couldn’t believe my ears. The whole point of this motion is to take the politics out of it. The amendment is making it political – frankly you’ve got a brass neck to suggest this.”

Mr Fothergill said Mr Coles was “clearly out to prove a point”, adding: “There is no reason why members of this chamber should not get behind our democratically-elected MP, who is working hard to keep 40 Commando in Taunton. This is the best campaign in town.”

The squabbling between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats prompted despair from independent representatives.

Councillor John Hunt stated: “Why on earth this has to be a political thing, I have no idea at all. We want the marines to stay in Taunton.”

Councillor Mike Rugby added: “The amendment turns an apolitical motion into a party political motion for Rebecca Pow.”

After more than half an hour of arguing – and several rounds of voting – Mr Fraschini’s revised proposal was eventually passed by a margin of 34 to zero.

Mr Coles was among 11 councillors who abstained from the final vote.

Mr Rigby took to Twitter after the meeting, stating: “That 40 Commando debate ranks up there with the most depressing things I’ve witnessed since being elected."

“[It is] pathetic that the Conservatives could not support a simple motion supporting the future of 40 Commando here without turning it into a party political puff piece for [Rebecca] Pow.”