At the European Election the Lib Dems lost their last MEP in the South West ending the 20 year reign of grandee Graham Watson. Labour regained a seat with the election of Claire Moody and even the Greens beat them.
More than that the Lib Dem vote collapsed in all districts around Somerset coming below Labour in Sedgemoor and below the Greens in West Somerset. In their South Somerset heartland they dropped from 1st to 3rd place.
The Lib Dems currently have 4 of the 5 MP’s in Somerset and on current performance none of these seats are safe. Nick Clegg is under pressure to quit from his own party for taking them into a disastrous coalition with the Conservatives and in many towns around Somerset , such as Bridgwater, there’s not a single Lib Dem left standing.
‘Lib Dems have gone into meltdown’
Martin Jevon, Labour candidate for Yeovil, said “The Lib Dems have gone into meltdown, lost MEP, losing supporters, losing councillors. So it’s time for all the south west 2015 Labour candidates to pick up the baton and lead the charge. We have opportunities to elect MP’s where they least expect it, chances to win local council seats, and above all show the people of the south west that Labour is on their side. So come on Labour in Somerset, pick your target and aim for it. Claire Moody has shown it can be done here in the south west and to everyone who says ‘Labour can’t win here’ you’re wrong, we elected an MEP, we have lots of hard working Labour local Councillors, and dedicated activists. We won’t win everything, but that won’t stop us from trying. And in the Yeovil constituency where I’m standing we will be pounding the streets, shouting from our soap boxes, and standing up for the people of south Somerset. See you on the campaign trail.”