Chesham and Amersham: Conservatives suffer by-election defeat to Lib Dems

18 June 2021, 06:52 | Updated: 18 June 2021, 20:30

Conservative Peter Fleet was defeated by Lib Dem Sarah Green in a former Tory stronghold
Conservative Peter Fleet was defeated by Lib Dem Sarah Green in a former Tory stronghold. Picture: PA Images

By Asher McShane

Boris Johnson's Tories suffered a humiliating by-election defeat as the Liberal Democrats scored a historic win in Chesham and Amersham.

Lib Dem Sarah Green is the country's newest MP after winning the seat, which had been a Conservative stronghold since its creation in 1974.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said the result sent a "shockwave through British politics" by showing that the "Blue Wall" of Tory southern seats could be vulnerable.

READ MORE: NHS facing 'biggest pressure in history', Matt Hancock warns

READ MORE: Keir Starmer says Boris Johnson was 'tour guide' not statesman at G7 summit

The Tories sought to limit the damage, insisting it was difficult for governing parties to win by-elections, but defeated candidate Peter Fleet acknowledged the Conservatives had to rebuild "trust and understanding" with voters.

The contest was triggered by the death of former Cabinet minister Dame Cheryl Gillan, who took the seat with a majority of 16,233 in the 2019 general election - some 55% of the vote.

Votes for the Chesham and Amersham by-election were counted into the early hours of Friday morning
Votes for the Chesham and Amersham by-election were counted into the early hours of Friday morning. Picture: PA Images

In a stunning result, Ms Green took 56.7% of the vote to secure a majority of 8,028 over the second-placed Tories.

"This Conservative Party has taken people across the country for granted for far too long," Ms Green said.

The Green Party came third with 1,480 votes, with Labour trailing in fourth with just 622 votes, losing the party's deposit in the process.

In her acceptance speech Ms 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."

READ MORE: F***ing hopeless: Cummings leaks 'PM's Whatsapp exchange over Hancock'

She added: "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."

The scale of the defeat will ring alarm bells in Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).

Major issues in the campaign included the HS2 rail line, which cuts through the constituency, and the Government's proposed planning reforms which have sparked fears about building in the countryside around the seat in the Chilterns.

Labour lost its deposit after coming in fourth place with just 660 votes
Labour lost its deposit after coming in fourth place with just 660 votes. Picture: PA Images

Mr Fleet said: "Clearly this was a very disappointing result, not the result that I was expecting nor my team."

He added: "It's an absolutely extraordinary result which must take into account the fact that the Liberal Democrat party didn't just throw the kitchen sink at this constituency, I think it was the microwave, the table, the oven, the dishwasher, the dog, the cat and anything else that was lying around as well."

Tory chairwoman Amanda Milling said the "work starts now to show how it's Conservatives that can deliver on the people's priorities and regain their support".

A Conservative Party source said the result was "very disappointing" but added that by-election are "always difficult" for a party currently in power.

A Conservative source said: "By-elections are always difficult for the governing party, particularly 11 years into government, but there is no getting away from the fact this is a very disappointing result."

The victory caught bookmakers off guard - the Tories were firm favourites and the Lib Dems closed at 4/1 with Ladbrokes.

"Fair to say this was a night for the punters," the firm said.

In the aftermath of the vote, one of Sir Keir Starmer's closest advisers stood down. Ben Nunn will quit as the party leader's director of communications.

He is said to be leaving to pursue other projects rather than as a response to the by-election loss.

"I remain as convinced today as I ever have been that he will be a great Prime Minister and make this a better, stronger, more prosperous country," he wrote in an email to staff.

"The decision to step down has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to take."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Louis Gossett Jr. has died aged 87

Louis Gossett Jr, first black man to win Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, dies aged 87

Jeffrey Donaldson

DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson 'charged with historic sex offences' as he steps down as party leader

Russia bombed Ukrainian infrastructure overnight

Russia launches 'massive attack' on Ukraine's power supplies, with 'energy security under growing threat'

Newry Magistrates' Court

Man, 61, charged with non-recent sexual offences in Northern Ireland

Drivers queuing in Dover on Friday morning

Holidaymakers hit with 2-hour Dover ferry waits amid strong winds, as 2.6m hit the roads for Good Friday getaway

The attack happened on a train in south London

Teenager charged with attempted murder after south London train stabbing, with victim still in critical condition

Mother Natalie Pinnell

Mother left in tears after daughter with complex needs 'erased' from school photo

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard have both been nominated to the Garrick Club

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard among seven women nominated for membership of all-male Garrick Club

Exclusive
Anneliese Dodds said Labour would make sure local people have 'skin in the game' with tackling inequality

'Rebuild has to start from ground up,' Labour's Anneliese Dodds says, and 'local people must have skin in the game'

Mohamed Mansour has been awarded a knighthood

Conservatives accused of 'cronyism' after donor who gave £5 million awarded knighthood in surprise honours list

Exclusive
Justin Welby recalled his experience of coping with his father's drinking as a teenager.

‘It was utterly isolating’: Archbishop of Canterbury recalls harrowing childhood with alcoholic father

More than 2 million drivers are set to hit the road on Good Friday.

Easter Carmageddon: Over two million drivers to hit the road on Good Friday after Storm Nelson travel chaos

Michael Gove has slammed the water firm as a 'disgrace'.

Thames Water bosses branded a ‘disgrace’ as Michael Gove tells firm ‘not to punish consumers’ for its failings

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza