THE new Taunton and Wellington Labour Party was launched at the weekend.

The meeting on Saturday (December 2) was held to ensure the group now matches the new boundaries of the Parliamentary constituency coming into being for the next General Election, which is expected to be held late next year.

The event in Taunton included the annual general meeting, which confirmed the new executive team of Estelle Smillie, chairman; Jon Gray, treasurer; Brenda Weston, vice-chairman; and Mike McGuffie, secretary.

The members discussed plans for fighting the election and they also passed a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ms Smillie, who has a particular interest in education policy, said: "A new Labour government will make sure our school students have hungry minds and not hungry bellies.

"People can end the 13 years' incompetence of the current government and their LibDem allies by voting Labour at the General Election, as only Labour can beat the Tories."

After the meeting there was a Christmas lunch buffet when members caught up with old friends following the reorganisation.