GIDEON Amos, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Taunton and Wellington, has welcomed the announcement about a General Election taking place on July 4.

Mr Amos will be campaigning for action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, the NHS crisis, and the sewage scandal.

His fight for more support for the Maternity and Children’s Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital will be a key priority, having successfully campaigned at the last General Election for the government to perform a U-turn on its plans to close the Royal Marines’ Norton Manor Camp.

Mr Amos’s ongoing campaign to clean up the River Tone has made headlines after he applied for Bathing Water Status to put pressure on water companies to cut pollution levels.

Mr Amos said: “For years our area has been taken for granted by an out-of-touch Conservative Government which has failed to get the basics right and lurched from crisis to crisis - now it’s time for a change.

“Local health services have been brought to their knees – despite amazing NHS staff, they are working in buildings at Musgrove that let the rain in, people’s mortgages and rent have skyrocketed, and water companies have been allowed to pump their filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches.

“All by a Conservative government which has seemed more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for ordinary people.

“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a fair deal. It’s a vote for a party which will stand up for our community and our health services.”

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow said: “I am pleased that the Prime Minister has called an election for the 4th of July, and I am looking forward to the campaign.

“I will be fighting with our clear plan, taking bold action to deliver a secure future for our communities and our country.”

“The last nine years serving as your Member of Parliament, where I live and where I have brought up my family, have been the biggest privilege of my life.

“I have worked determinedly to deliver on a wide range of areas including seeing the £87m surgical centre being built; retaining the Royal Marines at Norton Manor Camp with my role being acknowledged by 40 Commando themselves; restoring the Wellington Monument; upgrading Taunton Rail station and hugely progressing a Wellington Rail Station.

“Also, as the former Water Minister, working with Government to secure bathing water status for French Weir in Taunton.

“I hope this demonstrates that I can be trusted to deliver for our area. I know there is more to do and amongst my priorities are: ensuring people have more money in their pockets; delivering the upgrade to Musgrove Park Hospital by 2030 which I have secured a commitment for and seeing Wellington Rail Station become a reality.”

“In simple terms, however, the choice is clear: stick with the plan by choosing bold action for a safer, more secure, and more prosperous future with Rishi Sunak, or go back to square one with Ed Davey, Keir Starmer, and the same old Labour.”