Neil Dorgan and Sam Blitz
December 13 2019, 04.45
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The Liberal Democrats have recaptured Richmond Park from the Conservatives, with Sarah Olney winning with 53.1% of the vote.
Mrs Olney held the seat briefly from December 2016 to June 2017, following a by-election, after the Conservative Zac Goldsmith resigned from the Government over the proposal for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Mrs Olney, speaking after the win, said: “It feels amazing. I wasn’t expecting such a big majority. We knew we had a good campaign and we were optimistic about tonight but I wasn’t expecting such a big majority. I am very pleased.
“A lot of residents here in Richmond Park have lost faith with Boris and that damaged Zac.”
Mrs Olney also promised to continue the fight against the extension of Heathrow Airport and try and tackle the crime rate.
Mrs Olney, when asked about Jo Swinson losing her seat, said: “It is much too early to think who is going to be party leader.”
Mr Goldsmith, who won the seat in 2017 with a majority of just 45 seats, was the runner up with 41.2% of the vote.
Mr Goldsmith, a pro-Brexit enthusiast, had been elected in 2017 despite the constituency voting strongly to Remain in the 2016 EU Referendum by a majority of 72%.
It has not been a successful night for the Liberal Democrats elsewhere in the country but Mrs Olney will offer a brief respite for the party.
