Somerset by-election winner visits Mid Bedfordshire as odds slashed on another Lib Dem win 

EMBARGO: 00:01 Wednesday 26th July

The Liberal Democrats are the bookies' favourite to win the Mid Bedfordshire by-election and take another Blue Wall seat from the Conservatives, with odds shortening since the party’s stunning by-election victory last week in Somerset.

The odds on the Liberal Democrats winning Mid Bedfordshire have shortened to 8/15, while the Labour Party have seen their odds slashed to four to one after they failed to win in Uxbridge. It marks the fourth time this Parliament the Liberal Democrats have won a by-election from the Conservatives by overturning a huge majority.

It comes as Somerton and Frome by-election winner Sarah Dyke is set to visit the constituency today to hand over the by-election baton and campaign for Liberal Democrat candidate Emma Holland-Lindsay. She said the odds show it’s clear it is a two-horse race in Mid Bedfordshire between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.  

Many of the same issues faced by voters in Somerset, such as lack of access to GPs and soaring mortgage costs, are also being raised on the doorsteps by families in Mid Bedfordshire.

Commenting, Somerton and Frome by-election winner Sarah Dyke MP said: 

“Last week marked another stunning success for the Liberal Democrats, now the momentum is with us as we take on this out-of-touch Conservative government.

“I’m so proud to be handing the by-election baton to Emma Holland-Lindsey who will make an incredible local champion for people in Bedfordshire.

“Just like in Somerset, people here are fed up with having an absent MP failing to stand up for them in Parliament. Families are facing soaring mortgage costs and struggling to see a GP, while there is an endless Conservative circus in Westminster. 

“It’s clear it’s a two-horse race between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives in Mid-Bedfordshire.” 

Liberal Democrat candidate for the by-election Emma Holland-Lindsay added: 

“This election is a golden opportunity here to send Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives a message they cannot ignore. 

"For too long, the people of Mid Bedfordshire have been taken for granted by this Conservative government. People are struggling to get a GP appointment while seeing their mortgage go up by hundreds of pounds a month, yet they’re left to struggle by an absent MP. 

"Our community deserves an MP who takes their responsibilities seriously and champions the voices of local people to ensure they get a fair deal."

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 

Odds correct as of 10:36 25/07/23 here. The data shows the odds of another stunning by-election win in Mid Bedfordshire shortening for the Liberal Democrats among almost all bookmakers, while they are drifting for both Labour and the Conservatives.