Gail Coleshill Liberal Democrat Councillor for Peasedown at Bath and North East Somerset, who won her seat with fellow councillor Sarah Bevan with a comfortable majority said

"I am afraid that democracy did not come into this co-option. Sadly Nathan is a well known local Liberal Democrat and would therefore be a real no-no to the majority of Labour supporting parish councillors."

Nathan Hartley had seen his name and the co-option mentioned on the Labour website where members of the council were advised that one of the applicants for the vacancy was a Labour supporter. He said

"I went to the meeting expecting to be allowed to say something in support of my application but it was obvious that most people had already made up their minds. I was very disappointed because I think I could offer a lot to the residents of Peasedown St John."