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Lib Dems oust Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park by-election Lib Dems oust Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park by-election
(35 minutes later)
Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney has won the Richmond Park by-election, beating incumbent Zac Goldsmith, who was standing as an independent. The Liberal Democrats have caused a major upset in the Richmond Park by-election, overturning a 23,015 majority to oust ex-Tory MP Zac Goldsmith.
Ms Olney polled 20,510 votes, to Mr Goldsmith's 18,638 and will be the only female Lib Dem MP in Parliament. Mr Goldsmith was standing as an independent after leaving the party in protest at the government's decision to back a third Heathrow runway.
Mr Goldsmith, who had previously been a Conservative, stood down as MP when the government decided to back a third runway at Heathrow airport. But Lib Dem Sarah Olney, who is also opposed to Heathrow expansion, fought the campaign on the issue of Brexit.
He had a majority of 23,015 at the general election in 2015. She polled 20,510 votes to Mr Goldsmith's 18,638.
Mr Goldsmith said: "This by-election was not a political calculation. It was a promise that I made and it was a promise that I kept. Ms Olney will become the ninth Lib Dem MP in Parliament, but the only female.
After his defeat was announced, Mr Goldsmith said: "This by-election was not a political calculation. It was a promise that I made and it was a promise that I kept.
"I wish Sarah well in her very, very important job and I hope she serves this community as well as this community deserves.""I wish Sarah well in her very, very important job and I hope she serves this community as well as this community deserves."
'Shockwave'
The Lib Dems fought the by-election campaign on the issue of Brexit, in the south west London seat where the majority of people voted to remain in the EU despite Mr Goldsmith being a campaigner for Leave.
Ms Olney, the new MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said in her victory speech that the result was a rejection of the "politics of anger and division".
"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."
It was the second political defeat for Mr Goldsmith this year, who was beaten by Labour's Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral election.