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Lib Dems' Sarah Olney to fight Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park byelection Lib Dems' Sarah Olney to fight Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park byelection
(35 minutes later)
The Liberal Democrats have confirmed Sarah Olney as their candidate to run against Zac Goldsmith in the Richmond Park byelection.The Liberal Democrats have confirmed Sarah Olney as their candidate to run against Zac Goldsmith in the Richmond Park byelection.
Olney, who is relatively unknown, represents the party in the south-west London seat and is seen as the main threat to the former Conservative MP in the byelection to be held on 1 December.Olney, who is relatively unknown, represents the party in the south-west London seat and is seen as the main threat to the former Conservative MP in the byelection to be held on 1 December.
Her selection comes despite speculation that the Lib Dems would parachute in a high-profile party figure to shore up their prospects of seizing a constituency they think is winnable. Her selection came despite speculation that the Lib Dems would parachute in a high-profile party figure to shore up their prospects of seizing a constituency they think is winnable.
The party’s leader, Tim Farron, previously admitted the Lib Dems had a “mountain to climb” to overturn Goldsmith’s 23,000 majority from last year’s election but intends to battle him on a pro-EU ticket.The party’s leader, Tim Farron, previously admitted the Lib Dems had a “mountain to climb” to overturn Goldsmith’s 23,000 majority from last year’s election but intends to battle him on a pro-EU ticket.
The former London mayoral candidate forced the contest by ditching the Tories to stand as an independent in protest over the decision to give the go-ahead to a new runway at Heathrow airport.The former London mayoral candidate forced the contest by ditching the Tories to stand as an independent in protest over the decision to give the go-ahead to a new runway at Heathrow airport.
Despite being cast from government into the parliamentary wilderness after a hammering in last year’s general election, the Lib Dems were heartened by a strong performance in David Cameron’s former constituency, Witney, this month.Despite being cast from government into the parliamentary wilderness after a hammering in last year’s general election, the Lib Dems were heartened by a strong performance in David Cameron’s former constituency, Witney, this month.
The party’s emergence as Goldsmith’s main opposition was partly evidenced by a handful of prominent Labour MPs calling on their party not to field a candidate in the contest to avoid the risk of splitting the vote.The party’s emergence as Goldsmith’s main opposition was partly evidenced by a handful of prominent Labour MPs calling on their party not to field a candidate in the contest to avoid the risk of splitting the vote.
Speaking outside Grey Court school in Richmond, where the Lib Dems unveiled her as their candidate, Olney said she was confident she could overcome Goldsmith’s majority.Speaking outside Grey Court school in Richmond, where the Lib Dems unveiled her as their candidate, Olney said she was confident she could overcome Goldsmith’s majority.
She said: “I think on paper it obviously looks a bit daunting, but I think one of the things is that Mr Goldsmith isn’t standing as a Conservative this time, so it remains to be seen how much of that support he carries with him as an independent. She said: “On paper it obviously looks a bit daunting, but I think one of the things is that Mr Goldsmith isn’t standing as a Conservative this time, so it remains to be seen how much of that support he carries with him as an independent.
“Secondly, we’ve just come from the most fantastic swing in Witney of about 19% and, with a similar size swing, we’d actually defeat Mr Goldsmith we’ve got lots of reasons to be optimistic about our chances in this election.” “Secondly, we’ve just come from the most fantastic swing in Witney of about 19% and, with a similar size swing, we’d actually defeat Mr Goldsmith. We’ve got lots of reasons to be optimistic about our chances in this election.”
Olney added: “We’re really looking forward to this campaign. We’re keen to get our messages out there in front of the voters, and we hope we can persuade them that they really need another Liberal Democrat MP.”Olney added: “We’re really looking forward to this campaign. We’re keen to get our messages out there in front of the voters, and we hope we can persuade them that they really need another Liberal Democrat MP.”