The Parliamentary constituency of Bridgwater and West Somerset is traditionally the strongest bastion of Labour support in the County, with the town of Bridgwater regularly returning a majority of Labour Councillors. In 2017 Wes Hinckes increased the Labour vote by 11% and the party regained it’s traditional 2nd place. In 2019 Oliver Thornton again came second keeping Labour’s important position as the only viable alternative to the Tories here.
See results here.
The Bridgwater & West Somerset Parliamentary Constituency has been Tory held since the 1940s, when an alliance between Labour, the Liberals and Independents backed the Independent Socialist Vernon Bartlett who was the MP from 1938 to 1950, showing the underlying historic potential to unite behind a progressive cause or Unity candidate. www.vernonbartlett.co.uk
From 1950 the Constituency has always been held by the Conservatives but Labour has usually been in second place and has been for the last few elections
In May 2022 Somerset County Council will become Somerset Council -a Unitary Authority. The divisions will be based on the current county divisions (shown on the map on the home page). Labour candidates can be found here.
Overview of the Constituency
The Constituency is one of the largest geographic constituencies in the country, stretching from Exmoor National park in the west over to Ashcott in the East
There are two branches, based on the two District Council areas.
Bridgwater & District Branch which covers the Sedgemoor District Council area and West Somerset Branch which covers the former West Somerset District Council part of Somerset West and Taunton Council.
The Constituency team of Officers are elected every May.
Chair. Liam Tucker
Secretary. Lucy Naylor
Branches
Bridgwater & District Branch
Bridgwater & District Branch is the strongest Labour branch in the county in electoral terms returning 26 elected councillors to Town, District and County at the last set of elections
Chair is Irena Hubble
Secretary is Brian Smedley
Treasurer is Jon Falkingham
Bridgwater Town Council is Labour-controlled, with 11 Labour Councillors to 5 Conservative. See councillors here
Labour is the main opposition on Sedgemoor District Council with 11 councillors but this will be abolished in 2023.
West Somerset Branch
West Somerset Branch is based out of Williton but holds meetings around the huge rural area it covers.
The team are elected every March and are well known for their work on Labour Policy and Environmental Activism. Prior to Covid their monthly meetings included a wide variety of speakers.
To find out more about the branch please email hello@westsomersetlabourparty.org.uk or catch up with them on Facebook West Somerset Labour or Twitter @WS_BLP