By now, you've probably heard the astonishing news about the Chesham and Amersham by-election. We elected Lib Dem Sarah Green to a seat that's been Conservative since its creation. It's sent a shockwave through British politics - and we're only getting started.
Almost everyone wrote us off. They said it was impossible. Jim Pickard at the Financial Times said he'd "eat his hat" if we won it and, well, credit where it's due...
penance pic.twitter.com/RSVx3hqQW0
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) June 18, 2021
This could be as big as the Hartlepool by-election. We achieved a swing of 25% in electing Sarah. That's huge - and it's a sign of things to come throughout the south.
The "blue wall" of southern English parliamentary seats isn't just on notice. We've shaken it to its foundations.
A result like that here in Romsey and Southampton North would be more than enough to take the seats from the Conservatives. The "blue wall" of southern English parliamentary seats isn't just on notice. We've shaken it to its foundations.
In last month's local elections, we gained control of Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire Councils for the first time ever. We gained seats in Wiltshire, Woking, Surrey, Tunbridge Wells and many more.
It was hugely encouraging, too, to see huge numbers of Green and Labour supporters voting for the Lib Dems for the first time. When progressives work together, we win. We can't afford to let minor differences and old grudges divide us any longer. Beating this government is too important. In places like Chesham, like Romsey and Southampton North, the Lib Dems are best-placed to do exactly that.
Boris Johnson's Conservatives can't afford to take the British people for granted anymore.
Conservative MPs like Caroline Nokes are looking over their shoulders with worry. This shambolic government isn't as untouchable as it wants you to believe. Chesham and Amersham is a turning point. It shows that Boris Johnson's Conservatives can't afford to take the British people for granted anymore.
But we can't be complacent. Beating the Conservatives at the next general election will take work, and we'll need all the help we can get. Hundreds of people have joined us since Thursday night. Will you do the same and send a message to this mess of a government?
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