Zac Goldsmith has been re-selected as the Conservative candidate for Richmond Park — just four months after he lost the seat in a by-election.
Mr Goldsmith fought off two others contenders on the shortlist at last night’s general meeting of the Richmond Park and North Kingston Conservatives and will take on Lib Dem incumbent Sarah Olney on June 8.
Richmond Park and North Kingston Conservative Association chairman Georgina Butler praised Mr Goldsmith as the best MP the constituency has ever had.
“Far from being a hardened Brexiteer as his opponents have painted him, he will fight for the best deal for Britain,” she said.
“After a resounding victory in the 2015 General Election, his absence from Parliament since last December has been a disappointment.”
Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat chief whip, said he was confident Richmond voters would reject Mr Goldsmith.
He said: “By standing as a Conservative after resigning over Heathrow, Zac Goldsmith has just lost his last shred of credibility.
“People in Richmond Park voted resoundingly against a hard Brexit and against Heathrow expansion, both backed by Zac Goldsmith’s Conservative Party.
“Instead they voted for the Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney.
“Zac Goldsmith couldn’t stand on a Conservative platform last time, so what’s changed?”
Mr Goldsmith’s selection came just two days after his wife Alice gave birth to their second child — daughter Edie.
So far all sitting MPs in south west London have been re-selected by their local parties.
Battersea MP Jane Ellison was selected last night, with Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Scully was re-selected earlier in this week.
Honoured to serve this constituency – and humbled to be readopted by the wonderful @BatterseaTories team #GE2017 https://t.co/xFMAgtLxOy
— Jane Ellison MP (@JaneEllison) 26 April 2017
Labour is allowing sitting MPs to run again in June without facing their local parties, meaning its incumbents in Mitcham and Morden, Tooting and Streatham will be the party’s candidates in the election.
