Ed Davey to kick off Liberal Democrat bid to win Somerton & Frome by-election

19 Jun 2023

EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey will make his first by-election campaign visit to Somerton & Frome where he will meet the LiberalDemocrat candidate Sarah Dyke and local activists in Castle Cary.

During his visit, Ed Davey will tell campaigners it is “either a sleaze ridden Conservative party or the local Liberal Democrats in Somerton & Frome.” Next month, people across Somerton & Frome will finally have the chance to get the representation in Westminster they deserve.

After addressing local campaigners Ed Davey will head out with Lib Dem candidate Sarah Dyke to knock on doors and listen to local people about their concerns.

The Liberal Democrats have proven to be the best challengers against the Conservative party in rural Blue Wall seats like this one. In last year’s local elections the Liberal Democrats won 16 of the 26 seats in the constituency with the Party’s candidate Sarah Dyke beating the head of the “Lib Dem Unit” at Conservative Headquarters.

Previous elections show it’s a clear contest, with only the Liberal Democrats able to win against the Conservatives. Labour trailed in a poor third place at the last General Election, the Liberal Democrats previously held the seat from 1997 until 2010.

Sarah Dyke will be asking Labour supporters to back her and elect a local champion and send a shock result to this Conservative Government.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“The people of Somerton & Frome have had enough of the never ending sleaze and scandal that continues to engulf this Government. Lifelong Conservative voters across the South West have been telling me it is time for a change.

"This Conservative government has allowed our country to spiral out of control with record mortgage rates, an NHS on its knees and farmers tied up in red tape thanks to their botched trade deal.

"Sarah is a passionate campaigner who is determined to fight for a fair deal for communities across Somerton & Frome and ensure rural voices are heard - only she can beat the Conservatives, no other party is in with a chance here.

"Next month, people across Somerton & Frome have the opportunity to send a clear message to Rishi Sunak and finally get a proper, hard-working and decent MP for their area.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Somerton & Frome by-election Sarah Dyke said:

"This Conservative government and their absent MP have failed communities across Somerton & Frome for too long, but now people here finally get a chance for change.

"I will be the local candidate to stand up for farmers, get vital investment in our health services and champion the environment at this election, and if elected, I will continue that fight in Westminster.

"Instead of taking the people of Somerton & Frome for granted, I will listen to their concerns and work hard for our area all year round.

"The people of Somerton & Frome deserve an MP who works for them and deeply cares about the community, as the Liberal Democratcandidate I will deliver that."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Sarah Dyke:

Sarah is from a farming family and has a deep connection to the Somerton & Frome constituency - she can trace her family connections to this part of Somerset right back to 1763 when her 6x Great Grandfather was born in North Cadbury.
In the 2022 local elections, Sarah won against Hayward Burt, the Conservative Councillor in charge of the ‘Liberal DemocratUnit’ at CCHQ who has previously hosted ‘Fighting the Lib Dems’ events.
Sarah represents Blackmoor Vale on Somerset Council and sits as the Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change.
Sarah leads on numerous environment initiatives, such as bringing forward an electric vehicle charging network across the district and the development of a local Food and Drink Directory and a Green Business Directory.
Sarah has championed a district-wide initiative to encourage communities to re-wild marginal green spaces in their areas.