Ed Davey: Somerton and Frome win shows Lib Dems “firmly back in the West Country” 

EMBARGO: For Immediate Release

Ed Davey has declared that the Liberal Democrats are “firmly back in the West Country,” after the party pulled off yet another historic by-election victory in Somerton and Frome.

For the fourth time this Parliament, the Liberal Democrats have secured a double-digit swing and won a formerly safe Conservative seat, overturning a massive 19,000 majority. It means Ed Davey has become the first party leader since Paddy Ashdown in the 1990s to win four by-elections.

It comes following the party's shock by-election win in Tiverton and Honiton last year, and significant gains across Devon and Somerset in the last two sets of local elections.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“This stunning victory shows the Liberal Democrats are firmly back in the West Country.

“Sarah Dyke will be an incredible local champion for the people of Somerset who have been neglected for far too long. She will fight for stronger local health services, better access to GPs and a fair deal for rural communities during this cost of living crisis.

“The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunak’s out-of-touch Conservative government.”

ENDS