South West’s Safest Labour Councillor Quits Party Citing 'Constant U-Turns' Thursday, January 22, 2026 labour councillor independence paulton uturn council politics keirstarmer localgovernment environment Grant Johnson, a long-serving councillor representing Paulton—the former coal mining village deemed the safest Labour seat in South West England—has announced his departure from the Labour Party to serve as an independent. … Read More
Frome Councillor Calls for Fair Share of £13.1m Funding to Fix Unreliable Bus Services Wednesday, January 21, 2026 frome somerset buses publictransport funding councillor accessibility transportpolicy government infrastructure sport A Frome councillor has called on Somerset Council to ensure that a portion of a recent £13.1 million government funding boost is dedicated to tackling the “unreliable” bus services affecting the town. The Department for … Read More
Labour Councillor Resigns Over National Party Leadership Concerns Monday, January 19, 2026 labour councillor resignation paulton b&nes independence leadership politics opposition council Grant Johnson, a Labour councillor representing Paulton on the Bath and North East Somerset Council since 2019, has announced his resignation from the Labour Party. His departure stems from concerns about the leadership and … Read More
Councillor Quits Labour Citing National Leadership Concerns Monday, January 19, 2026 labour councillor resignation independence b&nes leadership politics paulton council opposition Grant Johnson, a Labour councillor for Paulton on Bath and North East Somerset Council since 2019, has resigned from the Labour Party, expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s national leadership and direction. Johnson … Read More
Somerset Councillor Leaves Lib Dems to Serve as Independent Friday, January 16, 2026 somerset bath localgovernment liberaldemocrats independent councillor politics resignation council elections Ann Morgan, a councillor representing High Littleton, Hallatrow & Farrington Gurney in Bath and North East Somerset, has officially resigned from the ruling Liberal Democrat party to serve as an independent. Elected in … Read More
Reform UK Strengthens Somerset Presence as Senior Conservative Councillor Defects Wednesday, January 14, 2026 reformuk somerset councillor defection conservatives localgovernment politics johncookwoodman somersetcouncil transport In a significant political shift, senior Conservative councillor John Cook-Woodman has joined Reform UK, increasing the party’s representation on Somerset Council to three members. Cook-Woodman has been a dedicated … Read More