Gideon Amos urges people to 'Buy Somerset'

Wellington’s MP, Gideon Amos, is collaborating with his fellow Somerset MPs to launch a 'Buy Somerset, Back Britain' campaign.

They are urging people across the county to support local businesses in the face of economic uncertainty following tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.

The campaign aims to bolster local economic resilience by encouraging people across Somerset to shop locally to help local businesses prosper and stimulate rural economic growth.

On Tuesday, Liberal Democrats were dismayed when the Chancellor criticised the campaign as “inward looking” and said that the Government would not be backing the campaign.

Somerset’s MPs said, in response, that they would “always have our local businesses’ back” and vowed to continue the campaign despite the Government's shortsightedness.

Mr Amos commented: "Our small businesses are the backbone of the local economy.

“Standing up for those hard-working local firms, after the government’s damaging jobs tax and now Trump’s tariffs, has never been more important. 

"It’s time to stand together and stand with our local businesses.”

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to swiftly introduce measures to protect businesses across the county.

Proposed actions include scrapping the “jobs tax”, reforming business rates to provide essential relief to local high street businesses, and introducing targeted support to help businesses navigate the economic turbulence caused by Trump's trade policies.