Lib Dems' by-election triumph is humiliating defeat for shell-shocked Tories

Published date18 June 2021
Publication titleWalesOnline (Wales)
Lib Dem Sarah Green is the country’s newest MP after winning the formerly rock-solid Tory seat, which had been a Conservative stronghold since its creation in 1974.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said the result sent a “shockwave through British politics” by showing that the “Blue Wall” of Tory southern seats could be vulnerable.

The Tories sought to limit the damage, insisting it was difficult for governing parties to win by-elections, but defeated candidate Peter Fleet acknowledged the Conservatives had to rebuild “trust and understanding” with voters.

The contest was triggered by the death of former Cabinet minister Dame Cheryl Gillan, who took the seat with a majority of 16,233 in the 2019 general election – some 55 per cent of the vote.

Ms Green recorded 56.7 per cent of votes polled to secure a majority of 8,028.

“This Conservative Party has taken people across the country for granted for far too long,” she said.

"This campaign has shown that no matter where you live, or how supposedly safe a constituency may appear to be, if you want a Liberal Democrat member of Parliament, you can have a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament.”

She added: “We will continue the work of holding this government to account for letting Covid rip through the care homes.

"We will speak up for the three million people excluded from...

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