A FORMER Labour mayor of Bridgwater has switched political colours.

Diogo Rodrigues is set to join the Conservative Group of Sedgemoor District Council.

Diogo, who is the District Councillor for Bridgwater Dunwear, as well as a Town Councillor and former Mayor of Bridgwater, left the Labour Party in July last year and has been an independent ever since.

The former mayor says the Conservative group will help him bring about the best outcomes for his constituents, and he looks forward to working with leader Duncan McGinty.

He said: “The Conservative Group on Sedgemoor District Council is the right place for me to enact positive change in my ward and the district as a whole.

"The councillors get along and work together towards sensible solutions for the common good.

"It’s thanks to council leader Duncan McGinty and his team that Sedgemoor is one of the most efficient councils in the country, benefitting people, businesses and the environment and providing good value for money by keeping council tax low.”

Cllr McGinty said: “Diogo is a committed councillor, passionate about helping people wherever he can.

"We welcome him to the Conservative Group to share his ideas and talent. We’re proud of our record as a group and as a council and Diogo’s support means a great deal.

"I very much look forward to working with him over the coming months and years.”

During his time on the council he has worked to form twinning links wit the parish of Camacha in Madeira, where his family are originally from.

He grew up in a council estate in Camden, North London and taught English at an orphanage in Cambodia before settling in Bridgwater.

The newly-Conservative councillor runs a successful business, The Skewer House, in Taunton, alongside his partner.