A SOMERTON councillor has resigned amid frustration over “an increasing level of bureaucracy”.

Phil Flowers has stood down from Somerton Town Council (STC) amid anger over the system.

Announcing his decision, he said: “As of September 10, 2025, I have resigned from the council. I would like to thank the 800 voters who in 2019 voted for me.

“At 73, I am unable to work with an increasing level of bureaucracy that in my opinion prevents action being taken on behalf of Somerton ratepayers and voters.”

Mr Flowers, who is retired having enjoyed a career in business development and as a photographer, is a proud Brexiteer, with a history of voting for the Liberal, Conservative and Labour parties.

His own biography said the Brexit Referendum of 2016 shaped his political outlook in the following years.

“The question of leaving the EU in the referendum showed that huge numbers in the country were in favour of leaving only to find, three years later, we are still members and no real progress has been made to fulfil the wishes of the voters.

“In 2019, I became a supporter of the Leave Means Leave campaign as a donor and supporter.

“Then, in April 2019, I joined the newly-formed Brexit Party, as I was both worried and concerned that UK democracy was being thrown on to the political scrapheap.”

Elected to STC in May 2019, Mr Flowers went on to become chair of the Land & Properties sub committee and of the Services & Structure sub committee.

He said at the 2023 Somerton & Frome constituency by-election – which saw Liberal Democrat Sarah Syke elected – he voted for UKIP, and at the 2024 General Election, for Reform UK.

Your Leveller has contacted Mr Flowers for further comment on his decision to resign.

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