THE Liberal Democrats have hit back at Reform UK saying that the right-wing party should “learn how to run a council before telling others how to.”

The response follows comments made by Reform UK chairman for Taunton and Wellington, Charles Hansard, criticising Somerset Council's "profligate waste of money".

In a statement shared with the Wellington Weekly News, Mr Hansard expressed his plans to audit and scrutinise Somerset Council’s contracts and expenditures if Reform were to be elected in 2027, adding that “savings [would] be made”.

The Liberal Democrats, who run Somerset Council having won a majority in the May 2022 elections, responded to Mr Hansard’s comments.

A Lib Dem source said: “Reform should learn how to run a council before telling others how to - so far their administrations have been cancelling audit meetings, failing to fill crucial cabinet positions and causing by-elections by failing to take up seats.

“Independent financial experts concluded the financial difficulties Somerset Council faces are due to the failings of the previous Conservative administration and it is currently being well led by the Liberal Democrats.

“We will continue to work to improve Somerset after so many years of Conservative neglect.”