11,000 majority for the Liberal Democrats in Somerton and Frome
Sarah Dyke has been selected as the new MP for the Somerset seat
Last updated 21st Jul 2023
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey says his party was now back in its former West Country stronghold, after overturning a majority of more than 19,000 to win the Somerton and Frome seat in the the by election.
The Lib Dems lost the Somerset seat in 2015 but Sarah Dyke won it back with a majority of 11,008 in the contest triggered by David Warburton's resignation.
The former Tory MP was cleared, earlier this week, after a long-running Parliamentary investigation, saying he feels "vindicated".
Breakdown of votes
Lorna Corke (Christian Peoples Alliance): 256
Martin Dimery (Green): 3,944
Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat): 21,187
Bruce Evans (Reform UK): 1,303
Neil Guild (Labour): 1,009
Rosie Mitchell (Independent): 635
Faye Purbrick (Conservative): 10,179
Peter Richardson (UK Independence Party): 275
Liberal Democrat reactions
Sir Ed said: "This stunning victory shows the Liberal Democrats are firmly back in the West Country.
"Sarah Dyke will be an incredible local champion for the people of Somerset who have been neglected for far too long.
"She will fight for stronger local health services, better access to GPs and a fair deal for rural communities during this cost-of-living crisis.
"The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunak's out-of-touch Conservative government."
The victory in the Somerset seat follows the Tiverton and Honiton win in Devon last year and gains across the two counties in local elections.
Ms Dyke said she was "excited, exhilarated and most of all humbled" at the result.
She told reporters afterwards: "It's unbelievable and most of all I am delighted that Somerton and Frome have finally got a voice in the constituency, but also in Parliament, and I can't wait to get started.
"I think the result here shows a very clear message now that the Liberal Democrats are back in the West Country.
"Not only do we have the largest group of Liberal Democrat councillors on Somerset Council, we now have an MP in Somerset.