A CONSERVATIVE council leader has said he would rather another political party represented Bridgwater and West Somerset in Parliament than have Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger re-elected.

Tim Taylor’s comments were made as West Somerset Council Conservatives sent a 125-page dossier to Prime Minister David Cameron outlining the “destructive behaviour” of Bridgwater and West Somerset Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

The dossier comprises a compilation of emails, letters and newspaper cuttings from a “variety of sources”, including councillors and members of the public, regarding Mr Liddell-Grainger’s behaviour.

West Somerset Council leader Tim Taylor told the County Gazette he drew up the dossier because Mr Liddell-Grainger’s behaviour was “divisive” and “unsupportive”.

He said: “I’d like someone who will represent West Somerset regardless of their Party label. “Even if it means the [West Somerset] MP is from another Party for the next five years and then the Conservatives take the seat back. It’s not about Party loyalty; I put my principles before petty politics.”

In January, the County Gazette reported how West Somerset councillors had passed a vote of “no confidence” in the MP and was calling for him to be deselected, but that Julie Nicholson, chairman of the Bridgwater and West Somerset Conservative Association said that she has “every confidence in him [Mr Liddell-Grainger]”.

West Somerset councillor Keith Turner, who supports Cllr Taylor, said that if the dossier is not successful in “kicking him [Mr Liddell-Grainger] out” then he will “take his campaign to the polling station”.

He said: “For the first time since I was able to vote I will not be voting for Conservative if the person representing them is Ian Liddell-Grainger. He has done nothing positive for West Somerset.”

The dossier has also been sent to the Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps, and Conservative chief whip, Michael Gove.

In the dossier, Cllr Taylor has described Mr Liddell-Grainger as a “disgrace to the Conservative Party” and that the West Somerset Council “deserves greater support from the... Bridgwater and West Somerset Conservative Association”.

Mr Liddell Grainger said: “I’ve not seen the document. The [Conservative] Party has made their position quite clear on this matter. As far as I’m concerned this case is shut.”

Andy Lewis, secretary for West Somerset Labour Party said: “The examples cited show that LiddellGrainger has been actively harmful to West Somerset over issues that affect everyone living here.

“If he had had his way, West Somerset council would have been ‘evaporated’.

“The conclusion to be reached is that we need an MP who would work properly for West Somerset and councillors with an ethos of public service.”

The dossier includes: