Bridgwater: your guide to the new Somerset seat

Bridgwater is a market town in Somerset

On 4 July people in Somerset will vote in all-new constituencies with boundaries having been redrawn to even out the number of voters. Here is all you need to know about the new seat of Bridgwater.

How has the constituency changed?

As the new name suggests, the Bridgwater parliamentary constituency has lost its rural arm which used to make up the former Bridgwater and West Somerset seat.

It means the constituency is more closely concentrated on the historic market town the seat is named after.

The constituency has also taken on the coastal settlements of Burnham-on-Sea and Brean in the north, which were part of the former Wells constituency.

The new boundaries also mean Bridgwater’s MP will no longer have the Hinkley Point C power station in their constituency as it will transfer to Tiverton and Minehead.

What are some of the main issues?

Bridgwater was one of the leading industrial towns in Somerset and remains a major centre for manufacturing.

In February 2024, Tata confirmed a brownfield site near the town would be home to the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility.

Jobs and housing are key concerns, with new homes planned on the edges of Bridgwater, North Petherton and Highbridge.

Tourism is also a key part of the local economy, with Burnham-on-Sea, Brean and Berrow popular holiday destinations.

Who are the candidates and what do they believe in?

Pelé Barnes is standing as an Independent candidate

Pelé Barnes lives in Bridgwater. He was born and raised on the Sydenham estate in the town.

He is a former Royal Mail postman who is now a small business owner.

Mr Barnes told BBC Somerset he would like to be a representative of working people and he would prioritise the environment and modernisation.

He says he wants to rebuild the high street markets: "With the government buying buildings, leasing them out for extremely low prices, to give hundreds of opportunities for new and upcoming small businesses."

William Fagg is the candidate for Reform UK

William Fagg lives in Berrow. He has three sons and two stepdaughters.

He has worked in procurement and supplies in both manufacturing and services for more than 40 years.

Mr Fagg says he is standing for Reform UK: "I decided I could no longer just sit on the side lines and complain, as I became part of the problem and not the solution."

He added: "It is time for change and Reform UK are the only common-sense party who are really in touch with the British people."

Ashley Fox is the Conservative candidate for the Bridgwater constituency

Ashley Fox is a qualified solicitor. He practised for 15 years before being elected to the European Parliament in 2009.

After leaving the European Parliament he set up his own company, Ashley Fox Consulting, which advises clients on how the EU operates.

Ashley Fox has been married to Julia for 26 years and they have two adult children.

He told BBC Somerset he wants to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as support high streets and the NHS.

"I will help lead the bid to get more investment for Burnham and Highbridge so we can improve the sea front and their high streets," he added.

Charles Graham is the Green party candidate

Charles Graham lives in Bridgwater. He has been a fruit grower on a family farm and a HGV driver.

Mr Graham has also been a Parish councillor, school governor and has represented NFU members nationally.

Charles Graham told BBC Somerset his priorities, if elected, would be clean rivers and seas, health and the cost of living.

Mr Graham said he would like to see, "a properly funded NHS to pursue a healthier society and to bring down waiting lists."

Leigh Redman is the Labour candidate

Leigh Redman lives in Bridgwater.

He is a Labour councillor and is the leader of the Labour group at Somerset Council.

Mr Redman is also the south west representative for the Association of Labour Councillors and a school governor.

He told BBC Somerset he wants to know how Westminster works and to tackle problems within the NHS, social care and education.

"Once my team is set up and working well, we will work hard to help residents. Then it's about getting things put back or rebuilding," Mr Redman added.

Claire Sully is standing in the constituency for the Liberal Democrats

Claire Sully grew up in Somerset. Since May 2022 she has been a Liberal Democrat councillor for Mendip South on Somerset Council.

Ms Sully has also owned a tech and marketing business for more than 20 years.

If elected, Claire Sully says her priorities will be to grow the economy, save the NHS and to focus on road safety.

Ms Sully said: "A new direction is needed to improve lives; I can take the constituency in that direction."

She added: "I will bring together leading businesses and industry investors with local communities, to ensure we not only build a transport network for the future but create communities where people don’t live in fear of increasingly thundering lorries and traffic."

Gregory Tanner is the candidate for the Workers Party of Britain

Gregory Tanner is a retired GP who worked in Bridgwater and Highbridge for nearly 25 years. He has two grown-up daughters.

During the Covid pandemic he came out of retirement to work as a locum GP in Somerset.

Mr Tanner says he would like to see reform of the NHS, improvements to infrastructure and changes to the way government works.

"There is a very urgent and immediate need to bring about wholescale changes so that government serves the people rather than the other way round," he added.