THE former Bridgwater parliamentary candidate has failed in her attempt to fight for the neighbouring Taunton Deane seat.

Somerset county councillor Justine Baker (pictured) was selected as LibDem parliamentary candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset in October last year.

But she stood aside from that role to fight instead for the Taunton Deane seat after Lib Dem MP Jeremy Browne said he would not stand again.

The selection panel which assembled at the weekend to find a replacement for Mr Browne overlooked Mrs Baker in favour of Rachel Gilmour.

According to the Lib Dem Voice website a new candidate is now being sought for Bridgwater and West Somerset. Bill Revans, vicechairman of Bridgwater and West Somerset Liberal Democrats and chairman of the Parliamentary Selection Committee, said the party would be “delighted” if Cllr Baker re-applied.

He said: “Party rules say a candidate cannot be considered for one seat while being selected for another.

Cllr Baker was approached by senior figures in the party to contest the Taunton selection, as this is currently a Liberal Democrat-held seat and they wanted the best possible field to choose from. She therefore had to step down as our candidate. She stood for the Taunton selection with our blessing.

“We have had to readvertise for a Parliamentary candidate. The closing date is Friday. We would be delighted if Cllr Baker re-applied to be considered for the role."

However West Somerset Labour Party secretary Andy Lewis said: “Cllr Baker has some explaining to do to voters in Bridgwater and West Somerset.

“Switching to Taunton Deane could have been a good career move but it has backfired. She now has the task of reviving her faltering challenge here when voters know she would rather be somewhere else.”