Liberal Democrats triumph in Somerton and Frome by-election

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey channelled the circus for the now regular by-election victory PR stunt in as he demanded a general election to remove the Conservatives from government.

He pretended to light a circus cannon adorned with the slogan ‘Get these clowns out of No 10’ as yellow confetti was sprayed across dozens of Liberal Democrat supporters who had gathered to celebrate Sarah Dyke’s victory in the Somerton and Frome by-election.

The Lib Dems overturned a massive Conservative majority of 19,000, with a swing of 29%.

Sir Ed described the win as “nothing short of spectacular” and said the Lib Dems were now winning in their former heartlands, saying his party was “back in the West Country”.

Addressing an election rally in Frome town centre, Sir Ed said: “I’ve spoken to a lot of people in this by-election and people across the country.

“People are angry, they are angry that while they work hard to make ends meet, angry while they are trying to get a GP appointment or a dentist for their child, the Conservatives are so out of touch they have not even noticed.

“They are fed up of these Conservative clowns with their political circus not helping people and that’s why thousands of lifelong Conservatives are switching to the Liberal Democrats and why thousands of life-long Labour voters lent us their support to beat the Conservatives.

“I think it is why people from all backgrounds, all walks of life are turning to the Liberal Democrats.

“They see that we are listening to them, and we are fighting for a fair deal for them.

“Last night the people of Somerton and Frome spoke for the whole country and sent a powerful message to this appalling Conservative Government.

“Ringmaster Rishi is out ideas, out of touch and out of excuses. It is time for his shameful spectacle to end. It is time for a general election to end this Conservative circus.

“It is time to get these clowns out of No 10.”

In Gloucester the Liberal Democrats are the clear challengers to the Conservatives.

In the last four years they have won council by-elections in Barnwood, Longlevens and Westgate from the Conservatives and came within 15 votes of a triumph in Tuffley.

They also beat Labour in the Podsmead by-election and lead the official opposition on the city and county councils.

In Gloucester the Labour Party has just three councillors.