A Conservative council leader said he would rather another political party represented Bridgwater and West Somerset in Parliament than have then-Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger re-elected back in 2015.
Tim Taylor’s comments were made as West Somerset Council Conservatives sent a 125-page dossier to then-prime minister David Cameron outlining the “destructive behaviour” of the former representative for Bridgwater and West Somerset.
The dossier comprised a compilation of emails, letters and newspaper cuttings from a “variety of sources”, including councillors and members of the public, regarding Mr Liddell-Grainger’s behaviour.
The then-West Somerset Council leader told the County Gazette he drew up the dossier because Mr Liddell-Grainger’s behaviour was “divisive” and “unsupportive”.
Speaking at the time, Cllr Taylor said: “I’d like someone who will represent West Somerset regardless of their party label.
"Even if it means the [West Somerset] MP is from another party for the next five years and then the Conservatives take the seat back.
"It’s not about party loyalty; I put my principles before petty politics.”
In January 2015, the County Gazette reported how West Somerset councillors had passed a vote of “no confidence” in the MP and were calling for him to be deselected, but that Julie Nicholson, chairman of the Bridgwater and West Somerset Conservative Association, said that she has “every confidence in him [Mr Liddell-Grainger]”.
West Somerset councillor Keith Turner, who supports Cllr Taylor, said that if the dossier is not successful in “kicking him [Mr Liddell-Grainger] out” then he will “take his campaign to the polling station”.
He said: “For the first time since I was able to vote, I will not be voting Conservative if the person representing them is Ian Liddell-Grainger.
"He has done nothing positive for West Somerset.”
The dossier has also been sent to the then-Conservative Party chairman, Grant Shapps, and Conservative chief whip at the time, Michael Gove.
In the dossier, Cllr Taylor has described Mr Liddell-Grainger as a “disgrace to the Conservative Party” and that the West Somerset Council “deserves greater support from the... Bridgwater and West Somerset Conservative Association”.
Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “I’ve not seen the document.
"The [Conservative] Party has made their position quite clear on this matter.
"As far as I’m concerned, this case is shut.”
Andy Lewis, secretary for West Somerset Labour Party, said: “The examples cited show that Liddell-Grainger has been actively harmful to West Somerset over issues that affect everyone living here.
“If he had had his way, West Somerset council would have been ‘evaporated’.
“The conclusion to be reached is that we need an MP who would work properly for West Somerset and councillors with an ethos of public service.”
The dossier included:
Mr Liddell-Grainger’s attempts to “destabilise the partnership project” between West Somerset Council and Taunton Deane Council.
Attempts to turn West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council against each other.
Claims of lack of support from the MP regarding the relationship between West Somerset Council and EDF, and Mr Liddell-Grainger’s behaviour regarding the Blue Anchor Hotel.
Inaccurate comments made by Mr Liddell-Grainger in the Bridgwater Mercury’s coverage of the “airbrushing incident”.
“Mistruths” published in the media.
Mr Liddell-Grainger was eventually re-elected at the 2015, 2017, and 2019 general elections, remaining as the constituency MP until it was abolished ahead of the 2024 general election.
That year, he contested the new Tiverton and Minehead seat, losing to Liberal Democrat candidate Rachel Gilmour.
Share