BRIDGWATER'S mayor has said he was left 'flabbergasted and disappointed' following MP Ian Liddell-Grainger's recent controversial comments.

In Parliament Mr Liddell-Grainger has compared county town Taunton to war-torn Aleppo, and described parts of Taunton as 'crime-ridden ghettos'.

Cllr Rodrigues said he felt the need to 'take a stand' against the 'unfriendly and narrow actions' of the Bridgwater and West Somerset MP.

Cllr Rodrigues writes: "“As the mayor of our wonderful town I have had the pleasure of meeting so many people, organisations and volunteers who keep our communities going strong, who work tirelessly and passionately to make Bridgwater a better place in which to live and visit.

"I have collaborated with many of these groups and individuals to promote the work they do, and ultimately to promote our diverse town."

The mayor says this work has put Bridgwater firmly on the map, and says the sense of community awareness, engagement and pride in the town is on the rise.

"Our MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has in recent weeks decided to give an extraordinary amount of care and attention to neighbouring Taunton, which is not in his constituency, rather than the main town he represents," Cllr Rodrigues said.

"I question Ian Liddell-Grainger's motives.

"My best guess is that he is playing a game here to perhaps try and raise his profile in preparation for a general election."

Cllr Rodrigues said the Conservative MP's war of words risked taking Bridgwater's growing position in the county back a few steps.

"Mr Liddell-Grainger's tirade of words has shown a degree of ignorance and a lack of care for his constituency.

"It is true that the crime rate per resident of Bridgwater is slightly higher than the same figure for Taunton.

"It is true that our public transport system is inefficient and as a result people and communities are being neglected, and it is true that we are facing a growing housing crisis where people are being priced out of our own town.

"Perhaps it would be more beneficial for our MP to focus on these very issues which are affecting our everyday lives in Bridgwater, rather than continue this self-centred, irrational and senseless war of words which does nothing to promote our town.

"Bridgwater is on the up. We, councillors, community organisations, volunteers, business owners, the entire community, are doing all we can to make Bridgwater a better place.

"So please, play your part and don’t allow for the work we are doing to have been done in vain.”