BRIDGWATER and Sedgemoor Labour Groups have called for a by-election following the surprise announcement by former Labour councillor Diogo Rodrigues that he is joining the Conservatives.

Diogo is a town and district councillor representing the Dunwear and Fairfax East wards, and garnered a lot of praise during his time as mayor of Bridgwater in 2018/19 for his hard work and modern approach to the role.

Having stood for Labour in the local elections in May 2019, Cllr Rodrigues then announced in July that he was leaving the party, citing reasons including 'Brexit infighting' within Labour, and the party's handling of anti-Semitism.

Cllr Rodrigues has been an independent councillor since then - until this week when it emerged he was joining the Conservatives.

Cllr Rodrigues said: “The Conservative Group on Sedgemoor District Council is the right place for me to enact positive change in my ward and the district as a whole.

"The councillors get along and work together towards sensible solutions for the common good.

"It’s thanks to council leader Duncan McGinty and his team that Sedgemoor is one of the most efficient councils in the country, benefitting people, businesses and the environment and providing good value for money by keeping council tax low.”

However Labour leader of Bridgwater Town Council Cllr Brian Smedley has highlighted how the move conflicts with a number of Diogo's previous stances and comments, including criticism of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

Cllr Smedley said: "He has justified his decision praising the Sedgemoor Tories as running 'one of the most efficient councils in the country', a view unlikely to chime with most people’s experience, and certainly not the experience of voters who elected him for Labour.

"It’s now time for Diogo to tell the voters who elected him as a Labour councillor what exactly his real politics are and defend them.

"Diogo came to Bridgwater five years ago as a newcomer and Labour welcomed him in, worked hard to get him elected and then helped him to become mayor.

“The voters of Dunwear and Fairfax East did not vote Labour to get a Tory elected and he should now resign and stand under his true colours – whatever they are.”

The leader of Conservative-led Sedgemoor District Council Cllr Duncan McGinty welcomed Diogo's move to join the group.

Cllr McGinty said: "Diogo is a committed councillor, passionate about helping people wherever he can.

"We welcome him to the Conservative Group to share his ideas and talent."