Local politics and a well-known face in Somerset, Tessa Munt is the Lib Dem's parliamentary candidate for the Wells seat

By Susie Watkins

27th Feb 2023 | Local News

A familiar face is in the running to become the next MP for Wells.

The Wells Liberal Democrats have announced that Tessa Munt has been selected as the Party's Parliamentary Candidate at the next General Election.

Ms Munt was elected as the Member of Parliament for Wells at the 2010 general election with a majority of 800 votes over David Heathcoat-Amory]

She was a party whip in the House of Commons from 2010 until March 2012, although she threatened to resign from the post if the Trident nuclear missile system was renewed. She was later appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Business Secretary Vince Cable.

In July 2010, newspapers revealed details of an investigation by Sedgemoor District Council into her claims of single person council tax discount while having more than one other adult male registered to vote at her home. On 6 September 2010, Sedgemoor District Council cleared her of any wrongdoing.

On 27 January 2015, Munt resigned as PPS to Cable after she voted for a Commons amendment, not supported by the government, calling for a moratorium on fracking in the UK.

In the 2015 election, she lost the Wells parliamentary seat to the Conservative party candidate James Heappey by 7,585 votes. She was again the Liberal Democrat candidate for Wells in the following two general elections of 2017 and 2019, though she was unsuccessful both times.

Her record of 704 MP surgeries remains the highest of all MPs.

As MP for Wells, Tessa co-ordinated the campaign to keep the Bishop of Bath & Wells in the Bishop's Palace and secured £51m in funding for cancer equipment for local hospitals.

Speaking about her candidacy, she said: "Somerset is my home and always will be. I couldn't be more dedicated to our area, and I am committed to standing up for our part of Somerset in Westminster.

"I am convinced that Wells needs an MP who lives in the area, is accessible to local people and genuinely cares about Somerset. With my loyalty, energy and experience, I am ready to serve the residents and organisations of Wells again."

     

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