Zac Goldsmith loses Richmond Park byelection to Lib Dem

[Denzil_DC]

1. More background:

Lib Dems unseat Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park byelection

...

One of the more unusual and closely contested byelections of recent years saw the Conservatives, Greens and Ukip step aside entirely, while Labour was marginalised, with voters instead offered choices akin to a referendum on two parallel issues.

Goldsmith, the defeated Conservative candidate this year for London mayor, campaigned entirely on local issues, particularly fears that the planned new runway for Heathrow will bring more plane noise to the south-west London constituency.

Although Goldsmith stood as an independent, the Conservatives decided not to put up anyone to oppose him, while Ukip also threw their weight behind his candidacy.

In contrast, the Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Olney, sought to target feelings about Brexit in a seat that voted 72% to remain in the June referendum but was represented by a leave supporter, albeit a low-key one.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/02/lib-dems-unseat-zac-goldsmith-in-richmond-park-byelection