‘We are next’ - Torridge and West Devon is poised to be the next Lib Dem victory after historic Tiverton and Honiton win
Winning smiles: Liberal Democrat Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin with baby Grace and party activists Bert Bruins and Teresa Tinsley on the campaign trail in Tiverton |
Responding to Richard Foord's spectacular win in the Tiverton and Honiton by election, local Lib Dems say the tide has turned for the Conservatives. The Lib Dems won the Devon constituency with a 6,000 majority and a swing of 30% away from the Conservatives.
David Wilson, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Torridge and West Devon said:
'What a truly fantastic result - and I think we can believe with increasing confidence that our constituency is also going to be turning 'yellow' when it's time for the next General Election. The sitting Tory MP Geoffrey Cox may think this is a safe seat for him and take us for granted, but the Tiverton and Honiton result shows that people in Devon want change and we are ready to deliver it.'
Many members of Torridge and West Devon Lib Dems travelled to their neighbouring constituency to help with the campaign and said they were overwhelmed by the response, thanking voters for their support.
David Wilson added:
'It is clear that voters in Tiverton and Honiton are worried about the same issues that we are experiencing, including the soaring cost of living, the struggling NHS, and the feeling of being overlooked by central government. Apart from the sheer scale of day-to-day problems, many are also sickened by the contempt shown to them by this Government and its lack of integrity, morals, and decency.'
Torridge District Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said:
'The result was just unbelievably amazing, and in a seat that had always been Conservative too. We thought it would be close, but we smashed it! Truly incredible and historic and I'm so proud to have been part of it. Massive congratulations to Richard Foord MP and there's no reason why we can't see a change here in Torridge and West Devon too. Conservatives look out, we're coming!'
Torridge and West Devon Vice Chair, Graham Reed, added:
'People are disgusted at the chaos and lies from Boris Johnson and his Government. Thank you to the voters who showed this sleazy shower that we citizens have a sense of self-honour! Geoffrey Cox should have had had the decency to resign over his lucrative lockdown work in the Caribbean, defending corruption overseas rather than the interests of his constituents.'
The Liberal Democrats have put out a call for new members and supporters who can join at http://libdems.org.uk/join.