REBECCA Pow has insisted she is “fighting hard for every vote” after being named in a leaked Conservative party memo which “blamed” its MPs for a “poor start” to the election campaign.

The disclosure came after The Times revealed the Conservative Party had privately criticised some MPs, and then accidentally emailed the memo to them.

In the document, Ms Pow was said to be “focusing too much on ministerial business” and that she was “noncommittal on time she will spend in the seat now and during the campaign.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Taunton and Wellington, Gideon Amos, said it showed the Conservatives were in “disarray”.

He said: “This must be very embarrassing for Conservative Party - surely their MPs should be giving proper attention to Taunton and Wellington all year round - or are they only concerned now there’s a General Election? 

“So many of their MPs are giving up and standing down - it’s no wonder The Times is reporting the Conservatives’ MP here is too busy focusing on a political career in Westminster to tackle the real issues in Taunton and Wellington, from GP waiting times and soaring mortgage payments after Liz Truss’s disastrous budget to our own River Tone being ruined by sewage.”

However, Ms Pow mounted a robust defence of her record on Wednesday and maintained she was a “hard working local MP.”

She said in response to the disclosure: “I have consistently prioritised Taunton Deane and its residents.

“Since being elected as the MP in 2015, I have run major campaigns to restore the iconic Wellington Monument, to retain our Royal Marines at Norton Manor Camp, which was acknowledged in writing by the Commanding Officer at the time, Lt. Col. Paul Maynard despite my political opponents attempting to claim credit for this; to upgrade Taunton Rail Station and have attracted £14m for our high streets.

“I (have pushed) for funding for the digital hub at Firepool and funding for numerous road developments, as well as £20m for the Tonedale development in Wellington which will deliver a myriad of jobs. And my dedicated work with a hardworking team, championing a rail station for Wellington is nearing fruition.

“Being a hard-working local MP and having the honour of being a Government Minister is of course a significant work commitment and I have dedicated my life to doing both. And indeed my ministerial role, has brought added benefits to the constituency in terms of attracting government investment and benefits to farming and the environment owing to my specialism.

“Throughout this campaign, I will be out and about across Taunton and Wellington every day fighting hard for every single vote. I want to continue to work hard to ensure that your voices are heard in Westminster.

“I have also secured millions of pounds for our local health services working closely with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust at Musgrove Park Hospital, a new £11.5m surgical decision unit is already up and running and the £87m new surgical centre is being built right now.”