Liberal Democrats candidate Sarah Green has snatched Chesham and Amersham from the Tories in a historic win at the by-election.
In a shock - but resounding - triumph, the Liberal Democrats took a staggering 21,517 votes.
The Conservatives' candidate Peter Fleet took 13,489, giving Ms Green a majority of over 8,000 votes - a humiliating defeat for the Tories.
Sarah said she was "humbled" at the result, which has catapulted Chesham and Amersham away from being a Tory safe seat.
Ms Green said she was “humbled by the faith you have placed in me” and promised she would hold the Government to account.
“This Conservative Party has taken people across the country for granted for far too long,” she said.
Before now, there has only been two MPs for Chesham and Amersham since the constituency was created in 1974 - and both were Conservatives.
And before now, a Conservative has never won in Chesham and Amersham with a majority of less than 10,000.
It will be a hammer blow for the Conservatives, who tried desperately to keep the constituency blue - sending in top Tories like Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove, and even the Prime Minister Boris Johnson himself during the campaign trail.
The by-election was triggered by the sad death of Dame Cheryl Gillan in April.
Number of votes recorded:
- Green - 1,480
- Rejoin EU - 101
- Conservative - 13,489
- Lib Dems - 21,517
- Breakthrough - 197
- Freedom Alliance - 134
- Labour - 622
- Reform UK - 414
The reaction to tonight's result is one of both shock and elation.
The Liberal Democrats said: "Liberal Democrats WIN Chesham and Amersham! Huge congratulations to Sarah Green and the amazing Lib Dem team on the ground. This is a huge triumph."
In her acceptance speech, new Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Green said: “Tonight the voice of Chesham and Amersham is unmistakable. Together we have said ‘Enough is enough, we will be heard and this Government will listen’.
“This campaign has shown that no matter where you live, or how supposedly safe a constituency may appear to be, if you want a Liberal Democrat member of Parliament, you can have a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament.
“If you wish to reject Conservative mismanagement and vote for a voice that will represent you and stand up for your rights then it is the Liberal Democrats who will continue to fight your corner.”
She added: “This Conservative Party has taken people across our country for granted for far too long.
“We will continue the work of holding this Government to account for letting Covid rip through the care homes. We will speak up for the three million people excluded from financial support throughout the pandemic and we will challenge Boris Johnson to be far more ambitious in tackling climate change, supporting our frontline workers and backing our small businesses.”
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