Awkward.
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Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leading Tory backbench Brexiteer, is now represented by a Lib Dem councillor.

Tim Warren, the Conservative leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, has lost his seat to Lib Dem David Wood as voters punished the Tories in the local elections on Thursday.

Warren said his loss was a result of the Brexit deadlock in Westminster. “I feel we’ve been given a kicking for something that wasn’t our fault,” he said.

“I don’t think people are happy. The people that voted to remain blame us for leaving and the people that voted to leave blame us because we haven’t left yet. 

“I think it’s almost anti-political. I think a lot of people didn’t turn out and I think they want to punish us for a lack of action in government, if I am honest.”

He added: “I’m sure there are one or two things we’ve done locally they don’t like but on a whole I think its national issues.

Asked whether there needed to be changes in leadership or policies at the top of the Conservative Party, Warren replied: “There needs to be a change in action.”

The Conservatives and Labour Party have both suffered losses in the English local council elections.

But the Lib Dems claimed their best results since 2003.

With results in from 88 of the 248 councils where elections are being held, the Conservatives had lost 224 seats and Labour 37 while the Lib Dems had gained 155 and the Greens 26.

There were 54 more independent councillors while Ukip remained unchanged overall.

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