Incumbent MP James Heappey and former MP Tessa Munt are primed to go head-to-head in the upcoming elections.

This week,r Wells Conservatives confirmed that Mr Heappey has been selected to represent his party in the newly redefined Wells and Mendip Hills constituency.

James Heappey has held the Wells seat since 2015 - but the new Wells constituency will bear little resemblance to the current one. While it still includes Axbridge, Cheddar, Shepton Mallet and Wells itself, the new constituency loses the coastal towns of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge to the new Bridgwater seat. The new constituency also includes Yatton and other settlements which currently form the eastern part of the Weston-super-Mare seat held by John Penrose since 2005.

In a congratulatory statement on the Wells Conservatives Facebook page, a representative expressed the committee's delight over Heappey's reselection, stating, "The Wells and Mendip Hills Executive Committee are delighted to confirm James Heappey as their Parliamentary Candidate. Congratulations to James on his selection."

Heappey reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his honour at being chosen for the new Wells and Mendip Hills seat.

He also addressed the boundary changes that will exclude Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, Berrow, Brean, Glastonbury, Street, and the surrounding villages of Ashwick, Chilcompton, and Stratton from his jurisdiction, noting, "It will be a sorrow to cease representing them in Parliament if I am successfully re-elected in the new constituency. However, until the boundary changes take effect, I will continue to serve these communities, which remains my privilege."

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have announced that Tessa Munt will be their Parliamentary Candidate for the forthcoming elections. Munt, who previously held the Wells seat from 2010 to 2015, ending the Conservatives' 87-year reign, aims to reclaim her previous position.

Munt commented on her selection, stating, "Somerset is my home and always will be. I am deeply dedicated to our region and pledge to advocate for our part of Somerset in Westminster. I believe that Wells requires an MP who resides in the area, is readily available to locals, and genuinely cares about Somerset. Armed with my loyalty, energy, and experience, I am prepared to serve the residents and organisations of Wells once more."