PRESS RELEASE: Lib Dems shatter Conservative majority to deliver new Lib Dem MP for Chesham & Amersham

Guildford Liberal Democrats
Contact: Zöe Franklin
EMBARGO: Immediate

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Guildford and Cranleigh Zöe Franklin has hailed a stunning victory in Chesham & Amersham by-election and insisted "if it can happen there it can happen here in Guildford too".

The Lib Dems secured a huge swing of 25 points to snatch the previously safe Conservative seat overnight.

If this swing were to be achieved across the country in a General Election, the Lib Dems would claim 44 seats from Boris Johnson's party.

Reacting to the incredible gain, Zöe Franklin said:

"I'm delighted for Sarah Green, she will make a fantastic MP and will be a strong and independent voice for her residents.

"Like so many voters in Tory Blue Wall seats who are feeling let down by the Conservative government and their MP, yesterday local people decided enough was enough and voted in their tens of thousands for change.

"The reality is that this could be the story of so many seats in the South East, including Guildford.

"I hear day after day from local people across Guildford and Cranleigh that they feel let down, taken for granted and appalled by the direction the Conservative government is taking this country.

"Sarah's win shows us that it doesn't have to remain that way forever. By local people of all political persuasions making the positive choice and voting Liberal Democrat they finally got a Lib Dem MP who will work hard for them, fight to safeguard our previous natural environment and build a fairer, greener, more caring country.

"With just 3k votes separating the Lib Dems and the Conservatives in Guildford, the same change is possible here too in the next General Election. That is what the local Lib Dem team is fighting for alongside local people."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Full results of the by-election are:

Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat): 21,517

Peter Fleet (Conservative): 13,489

Carolyne Culver (Green Party): 1,480

Natasa Pantelic (Labour): 622

Alex Wilson (Reform UK): 414

Carla Gregory (Breakthrough Party): 197

Adrian Oliver (Freedom Alliance): 134

Brendan Donnelly (Rejoin EU): 101

Lib Dem majority: 8,028

Turnout: 52% (37,954)