A ninth Liberal Democrat MP
Many congratulations to Sarah Olney, who has won the Richmond Park by-election to become the ninth Liberal Democrat MP in the current parliament, overturning Zac Goldsmith's previous 23,000 majority to achieve a 1,872 majority of her own, after a campaign emphasising the Liberal Democrats' opposition to the government's approach to Brexit.
From Sarah Olney: "The people of Richmond Park and North Kingston have sent a shockwave through this Conservative Brexit government, and our message is clear - we do not want a hard Brexit. We do not want to be pulled out of the single market, and we will not let intolerance, division and fear win."
From party leader, Tim Farron: "The Liberal Democrats are back and we are carrying the torch for all of those who want a real opposition to this Conservative Brexit Government. We are the only party fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant and united, and the only party that has said, loudly and proudly, that we want Britain to remain a member of the Single Market and that we want the people to be given the final say over the Brexit deal. That message has been resoundingly backed by the people of Richmond Park."