Newly elected MP for Chesham and Amersham, Sarah Green, is currently setting up her constituency office – but she sat down with the Free Press to discuss her by-election victory, HS2, planning reforms, and a pandemic “rent relief” plan.

Sarah snatched Chesham and Amersham from the Conservatives in a historic win at the by-election earlier this month, securing 21,517 votes to rival Tory candidate Peter Fleet’s 13,489.

It is the first time Chesham and Amersham has not been blue since the seat was created in the 1970s.

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BFP: Describe your feelings the night of the by-election

SG: “It was 101 different emotions, all at the same time. It was elation, pride, and a sense of responsibility – not just because people have put their faith in me, but I was also wearing the yellow rosette of a party with a heritage that goes back a long time.

“I feel I’m standing on the shoulders of others and the work they’ve done.”

BFP: Why did the Lib Dems win – and how will you sustain until the next General Election?

SG: “The message I got on the doorstep was overwhelmingly about voters feeling taken for granted and ignored by this Conservative government and party.

“It’s a trend we have seen elsewhere in the south-east in places like Oxfordshire and St Albans (Herts), with similar demographics.

“I intend to stay active, stay in touch, and report back on my activities.”

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BFP: Bucks Council leader Cllr Martin Tett claims a Lib Dem canvasser told him you would ‘cancel’ HS2?

SG: “I’m calling for a pause. I’ve never claimed I would ‘cancel’ HS2, that’s not in my gift.

“There are concerns about the water supply and I think the onus is very much on HS2 to reassure people that is being addressed, which is what I’ve called on them to do.

“I will be a thorn in the side of the people I need to be, whether that is HS2, this government, or the Tory council in Buckinghamshire.

“My job is to listen to the people of Chesham and Amersham and to take up their causes and to just keep on banging that drum.

“I have every intention of holding HS2’s fee to the fire.”

Bucks Free Press: BFP: How in real terms will you ‘fight to end government planning reforms’?                                                                                                                                       

SG: “We already are fighting the government on its planning reforms. Every step of the way, me and Liberal Democrat colleagues will be opposing whatever the government brings up next.

“I suspect their next proposal, after the white paper that was published last August, which was their initial proposal, will look quite different – partly based on the result in Chesham and Amersham, partly based on their own backbenchers having something to say about it.

“The planning reforms remove the right of local people to have a say on what happens locally, and, fundamentally, that’s not something I support.”

BFP: How will you help high street businesses weather the pandemic?

SG: “My Liberal Democrat colleagues have been campaigning for better support for small businesses throughout the pandemic.

“I will be joining them in calling for rent relief for our struggling high street traders.

“I think the people of Chesham and Amersham want an MP that is working hard for them.

“I intend to physically be there to promote the high street…it’s a great place to live and shop, we’ve got amazing markets.”