Tory MP says his town of Taunton has been left like ALEPPO in war-torn Syria by bad local planning
- Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger condemned state of Taunton in Commons debate
- The backbencher compared the Somerset town to Aleppo in war-torn Syria
- Aleppo has been one of the hardest hit parts of Syria with thousands killed
Tory MP Ian Liddell -Grainger compared Taunton to Aleppo in war-torn Syria in an extraordinary Commons jibe today.
The veteran backbencher ranted at the state of the town in his Somerset constituency as he demanded a more ‘visionary’ approach to local planning.
Mr Liddell Grainger made the intervention in business questions in the House of Commons.
It comes amid a wave of concern about the effect internet shopping is having on high streets across the country.
The Tory MP was condemned tonight by opposition MPs and his own constituents.
Tory MP Ian Liddell -Grainger compared Taunton to Aleppo in war-torn Syria in an extraordinary Commons jibe today.
Taunton is a small town in the south west of England while Aleppo has been left ruined by years of civil war
Veteran backbencher Ian Liddell-Grainer ranted at the state of the town (file image of Taunton’s central square) in his Somerset constituency as he demanded a more ‘visionary’ approach to local planning
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Mr Liddell-Grainger urged Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom to grant a debate on how the situation could be improved.
He heaped praise on the way Exeter was planning decades ahead for how it can develop.
‘Exeter City has just brought out an excellent report looking 20 years ahead for the security and the growth of their city centre,’ Mr Liddell-Grainger said.
‘Across the border, my county town Taunton is more like Aleppo than anything else.
‘Could I please have a debate in government time… on town centres and how they must look forward to visionary experiences as opposed to looking back to what has happened in history.’
Aleppo, which has a population of around four million, has been one of the hardest-hit cities in the civil war that has been wracking Syria for years
Aleppo, which has a population of around four million, has been one of the hardest-hit cities in the civil war that has been wracking Syria for years.
Thousands of civilians are said to have died in the conflict, while Bashar Assad has been accused of using chemical weapons against the local population.
By contrast, Taunton has a population of around 70,000 and is known for its 10th century monastery and castle.
Independent former Labour MP John Woodcock told MailOnline: ‘All our high streets are struggling, but what on earth is he talking about?
‘It is particularly distasteful given the failure in recent years of British MPs to help Syrians who were pleading for more support.
‘Taunton was on my list of places to visit – perhaps now I won’t bother.’
The Mayor of nearby Bridgwater, which is also in Mr Liddell-Grainer’s constituency, condemned the remarks.
Diogo Rodrigues said: ‘Your constituency is one of many that have taken in fleeing Syrian refugees – show some respect.’
Constituent and local councillor Bill Revans said he was ’embarrassed by my MP.’
The Mayor of nearby Bridgwater, which is also in Mr Liddell-Grainer’s constituency, condemned the remarks
Constituent and local councillor Bill Revans said he was ’embarrassed by my MP.’
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