On Thursday, Lib Dems Tom Ronan and Caroline McKinnell won two by-elections in Wells St Thomas’ ward, both gaining seats from the Conservatives. Tom won a seat on Mendip District Council and Caroline a seat on Wells City Council.

How did Somerset reach this point, what does this mean for the people of Somerset and where do we go from here? 

A briefing document from the Liberal Democrats

Somerset County Council has been in the news – nationally and locally - as it continues to struggle with an extremely serious financial situation. This could, if not addressed properly, lead to the Council effectively declaring itself bankrupt, at which point Government would send Commissioners in to run the Council’s finances and oversee its operations. 

Wells Liberal Democrats have selected local residents Caroline McKinnell and Tom Ronan as their candidates in the upcoming by-election in St Thomas' ward in Wells. Caroline is standing for the City, Tom for Mendip.

Former Somerset MP and current Lib Dem councillor, Tessa Munt, has slammed the five Conservative MPs representing the County for failing to gain Westminster’s backing to help sort out the Council’s financial crisis.

Somerset’s Lib Dem county councillors have called on the chair of Somerset County Council to hold an extraordinary meeting to explain the Conservatives’ emergency budget in more detail and ensure that it is sufficiently robust to prevent Government officials stepping in and shutting down the County Council.

“Somerset Council Leader David Fothergill is shirking responsibility for the vicious cuts to public services,” says Jane Lock, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Somerset County Council, after Mr Fothergill placed the blame for the crisis at the door of the Conservative Government. 

"Conservatives’ financial incompetence has driven Somerset to the brink of bankruptcy," says Lib Dem Leader, as Council releases its latest "Chopping List" of 76 service cuts.

After eight years of putting ideology before common sense, the Tory-run Somerset County Council is facing a catalogue of failures.

Wells Liberal Democrats have selected their Parliamentary candidate for the next General Election.

Tessa Munt was chosen from a shortlist of three at a selection meeting on Wednesday night (30th May).