Celebration was on the cards for the Labour Party following the results of the 2024 General Election, which saw a nationwide majority for the party.

But local votes would suggest Kier Starmer’s government isn’t necessarily wanted by everyone in Somerset.

The Liberal Democrats won a number of local seats - including the newly-formed constituency of Frome and East Somerset, comprising of 21 wards in total, including Westfield, Radstock, Peasedown, Midsomer Norton North and Midsomer Norton Redfield.

Anna Sabine was the elected candidate for the area, claiming 16,580 votes for the Liberal Democrats, securing a 5,415 majority over the Conservative candidate Lucy Trimnell.

The result for the new seat was one of the last in Somerset to be announced. The count was revealed at 5.15am on July 5 at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet. In a short speech, Ms Sabine thanked her campaign team, friends and family for their support, as well as thanking her fellow candidates.

Another Liberal Democrat majority was won by Wera Hobhouse, who holds onto her seat in the House of Commons as the MP for Bath, despite opposition from eight other political candidates in the area.

With the electoral boundary changes, former Frome MP Sarah Dyke contested for the neighbouring Glastonbury and Somerton seat, winning with 20,364 votes. Ms Dyke won the seat with a majority of 6,611 – around half the margin by which she won the Somerton and Frome by-election last year.

Elsewhere, in North East Somerset and Hanham, a hotly-contested seat saw a face-off between Labour’s Dan Norris and Conservative’s Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg for the second time in political history. Labour lost the North East Somerset seat in 2010 to the senior Conservative member, but Mr Norris’ 5,319 majority means that the party regains control. Mr Norris is now both MP for North East Somerset and Hanham and Metro Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority.

Reform UK gained 7,424 votes in the constituency, despite Sir Jacob urging Reform voters to support him as they would get “90% of what they want”. Had Reform voters abided to Rees-Mogg’s pleas, the Conservatives would’ve won the seat.

In his concession speech, Sir Jacob congratulated Mr Norris and Labour leader Keir Starmer and thanked his team and constituency staff. He ended by quoting Chitty Chitty Bang Bang inventor Caracatus Potts: “From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success.”

Following his victory, Mr Norris said: “It’s a great honour to serve the people of Keynsham, North East Somerset, Hanham and surrounding areas. This is my home. I’m deeply proud of all our communities and want our part of the world to be the best it can be.

“Keir Starmer changed the Labour Party and he will now change the country for the better.

“This is a victory for integrity: no more one more rule for them, another for everyone else.

“It’s a victory for stability: never forget the economic chaos for which the British people are still paying the price.

“Now let’s get to work.”