THE leaders of two councils have been accused of making a mockery of democracy after they discussed postponing local elections and staying in power longer.

Cllrs John Williams and Anthony Trollope-Bellew, of Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils, say they were simply making a suggestion to Secretary of State Sajid Javid in case a proposed merger of the two councils failed to get sanctioned in time.

District council polls are held four yearly, with the next ones in the Taunton and Minehead areas due in 2019.

Gideon Amos, LibDem prospective Parliamentary candidate in the Deane, said: "The fact Conservative councillors are getting together with Conservative Ministers to suggest the election designed to end their term of office can be put off so they can stay in power, without an election, and push through a merger with an insolvent council begins to rock the foundations of our local democracy."

Mr Amos added he would prefer to see the "unwanted and unpopular merger" delayed so that electors can register their views through the 2019 council elections.

LibDem Deane councillor Habib Farbahi said he was surprised the two leaders met Mr Javid without first consulting fellow members.

He added: "Not only should a full council meeting have been convened for councillors to give their opinion on something as important as this, but also the people of Taunton and West Somerset should have been apprised of the actions taken by their elected council leaders.

"First the Conservatives ruling the council push through a merger with a bankrupt council that will put an end to our historic borough, without consulting us as local residents.

"Now they're trying to put off elections and keep themselves in power beyond the term the electorate gave them. What has happened to democracy in Taunton?"

Mr Williams and Mr Trollope-Bellew in a joint statement said they met Mr Javid to update him on progress towards forming a single council.

They said: “The Secretary of State was grateful for the update and to hear that both councils are committed to the proposals, and ready and waiting to implement them.

“Discussion about a deferral of the 2019 elections did take place, but merely as a suggestion should it transpire that Parliamentary time is not available to enact the necessary legislation.

“The Secretary of State was clear about the procedure he is following to consider the bid and we can confirm that he did not give any indication as to his thinking and no agreements were reached.”