THE Conservative MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, Ian Liddell-Grainger, has received a ‘vote of no confidence’ from within his own party – as the General Election looms.

The Tory group on West Somerset Council passed by “a clear majority” a motion calling for Mr Liddell- Grainger to be deselected as their candidate in the election, at a meeting in January.

Tim Taylor, Conservative and council leader, accused Mr Liddell-Grainger of making “inaccurate and ill-informed”

comments to the media about the council, and said many Conservative councillors were “horrified”

by the MP’s behaviour.

He added: “We are very disappointed the Conservative hierarchy has not taken any action to stop him and his behaviour towards the council has been unprecedented.”

Cllr Taylor specifically highlighted comments made by Mr Liddell-Grainger about issues including Hinkley Point C, West Somerset Council’s partnership with Taunton Deane Council, and the council’s actions over coastal erosion at Blue Anchor.

He said: “There have been many inaccurate and illinformed comments in the press undermining the council.”

The final straw, said Cllr Taylor, was when Mr Liddell- Grainger posted a picture on his blog, of a meeting in Westminster about the Somerset Rivers Authority, in which he (Cllr Taylor) was airbrushed out.

The Somerset Labour group has described the affair as a ‘Tory civil war’.

Now Sedgemoor council leader Duncan McGinty has admitted that the MP and he “do not always agree” but that Sedgemoor supports Mr Liddell-Grainger.

He said: “What West Somerset Conservatives are feeling is in no way reflective of how we feel in Sedgemoor.

"I admit that the MP and I do not always agree, but that is life - we understand that our views will not always be the same and respect the differing views.

“Ian has supported Sedgemoor on many issues including lobbying on government growth investment, Junction 23 and community benefit from new nuclear to help during the flooding last year.”

The Conservative Association of Bridgwater and West Somerset has given its backing to the MP.

Julie Nicholson, said: “Ian Liddell-Grainger is the Conservative Party candidate for the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency, and I have every confidence in him.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger declined to comment.