Liberal Democrats reveal ‘passionate’ candidate Sarah Dyke at by …

Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has told people in Somerton & Frome that it’s a choice between them and Conservatives as he launched the by-election campaign in Castle Cary yesterday.

Sir Ed Davey introduced the prospective parliamentary candidate Sarah Dyke as ‘the next MP for Somerton & Frome’ at the launch of the campaign which was triggered by former Conservative MP quitting, more than a year after he was suspended from the Conservative Party over allegations of sexual misconduct has resigned.

The MP had been accused of taking drugs and making unwanted advances towards two women, after they and another woman spoke to the Sunday Times about his conduct.

During his visit, Ed Davey told campaigners it is “either a sleaze ridden Conservative party or the local Liberal Democrats in Somerton & Frome.”

Ed Davey said he was optimistic ahead of the by-election following success in local elections, and in previous by-election campaigns, notably in Tiverton & Honiton last year where there was an almost 30 per cent swing from the Conservatives to the Lib Dems; less than what is required in Somerton & Frome.

In last year’s local elections the Liberal Democrats won 16 of the 26 seats in the constituency with the party’s candidate Sarah Dyke also winning.

The Liberal Democrats are hoping to win back the seat they held from 1997 until 2010.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “The people of Somerton & Frome have had enough of the never ending sleaze and scandal that continues to engulf this Government. Lifelong Conservative voters across the South West have been telling me it is time for a change.

"This Conservative government has allowed our country to spiral out of control with record mortgage rates, an NHS on its knees and farmers tied up in red tape thanks to their botched trade deal.

"Sarah is a passionate campaigner who is determined to fight for a fair deal for communities across Somerton & Frome and ensure rural voices are heard - only she can beat the Conservatives, no other party is in with a chance here.

"Next month, people across Somerton & Frome have the opportunity to send a clear message to Rishi Sunak and finally get a proper, hard-working and decent MP for their area.”

He added: “We are optimistic but one of our criticisms of the Conservative Government is that it’s been taking people for granted over the NHS, the cost of living, and with their appalling behaviour with the parties during lockdown, with one rule for them and another for the rest of us.”

In Tiverton & Honiton the winning Lib Dems had a giant door with the slogan, ‘Let’s Show Boris the Door’ and in North Shropshire they had a balloon to pop with ‘Boris’ Bubble’ written on it.

When asked if there was already a gimmick ready for Somerton & Frome he responded: “Let us get on the doorsteps, get talking to people, listen to people and hear their concerns, and show the ideas Sarah Dyke has as our great local champion here, but also what Liberal Democrats have to offer people. If we can persuade people, we will then figure out what happens later. It’s important to earn people’s respect and vote with our great candidate.”

Sarah Dyke, who currently represents Blackmore Vale on Somerset County Council and is lead member for environment and climate change, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be the candidate

, and it’s great to have a warm welcome in Castle Cary this afternoon.

“People in Somerton & Frome haven’t had any representation now for well over a year and our really frustrated. I talk to people on the doorsteps day in, day out, and everybody is telling me they want change, and want me to be that change.

“We’ve had a great run of results at by-elections in the last couple of years, and also in Somerset at the local elections getting 61 unitary councillors, the biggest group of Liberal Democrat councillors across the country, and this year’s local election results were fantastic and are leading us all the way to Westminster.

“The key issues for me are the national problems around the cost of living crisis, everybody is suffering because of that. Locally, we have sewage issues here in Somerton & Frome, at the moment the pollution is piling to our precious rivers and streams and it’s disgusting.

“Also, our hardworking farmers are under the cosh from the botched trade deal. I am from a farming family myself, and I understand the dynamics involved, and hope to stand up for them.”