The leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council lost his seat to Wellington man Ross Henley as the Lib Dems gained control of the new authority.

Lib Dem Mr Henley, who lives in Trinity Close, was up against Conservative leader John Williams in the newly-created Hatch and Blackdown ward in what was billed the ‘Battle of the Blackdowns’.

Mr Henley, a former leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, won the seat by a more than two-to-one margin, polling 663 votes with Mr Williams on 317. A third candidate – Colin Croad, standing for the Labour Party – polled only 42.

Mr Henley said it had been ‘a hard-fought campaign’ and said he was ‘absolutely humbled’ by the outcome.

He has been strongly critical of many of Mr Williams’ flagship policies, including the planned investment of £16 million of public money into a hotel on part of the Firepool site in Taunton. He said: “I‘m very, very pleased to be able to continue to represent the Blackdown Hills community – a community I’m passionate about, a community I love.

“I’m so pleased to have won, and I could not have done it without the absolutely fantastic support of the community, particularly in the Blackdown Hills, who worked tirelessly to get me elected.”

By contrast, Mr Williams blamed the result – and the wider downward fortunes of his party – on the national picture, particularly the impact of Brexit.

He said: “I’m very disappointed by the result and very sad for my colleagues who have suffered the same fate. [The result] has to be the general public saying to government: ‘We’ve had enough. We need Brexit sorting out – get on with it.”

Daniel Mumby

Local Democracy reporter