MARK Formosa, who ran for the Conservatives in Taunton Deane in the General Election this year, has been appointed as his party’s local spokesman.

Due to the likely changes to constituency boundaries before the next election, local party officials are not in a position to confirm whether Mr Formosa will stand again.

However, a spokesman for the Wellington Conservative Association said members wanted Mr Formosa to stand and it is understood the Taunton branch has also asked him.

Mr Formosa said: “Taunton Deane is a wonderful part of the country and I will continue to live here.

“It was a great honour to fight the General Election campaign and I have no wish to turn my back on the 25,000 local people who supported me and a beautiful area that I have become very attached to.

“I will therefore continue to champion their cause and to take up issues to help people of all political persuasions who cannot find help elsewhere.

“However, the election could be five years away and while my family business has supported me so far, I do need to devote more time to running the business, especially since my mother passed away.”

Richard Dickinson, chairman of Taunton Conservative Association, declined to comment on the matter.