Lib Dem win in Richmond has spooked Tory MPs

Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney overturned a 23,000 Conservative majority with one of the largest swings to the party in its history, which would hand over 150 Conservative seats to the Lib Dems. This prompted the party's Leader Tim Farron to declare to Conservative MPs: "We are coming for you."

SW Wilts 2015 candidate Trevor Carbin said: "This result sent a shockwave through the Conservative Government as the public see it is divided, uncaring and reckless. Reports suggest the switchboard in Downing Street is hot with Conservative MPs demanding Theresa May gets a grip.

"Liberal Democrats respect the decision taken by the British people in the Cameron referendum on 23rd June, but the government has let everyone down. They told voters they could remain in the world's largest market and an opinion poll has shown that 90% of voters want to stay in that single market. Yet ministers are now fighting about this among themselves. They also promised an extra £350m a week for the NHS that would help hospitals such as Bath's RUH. Instead they have now said there will just be yet more cuts.

"The Richmond Park result shows that the Liberal Democrats are now the real opposition to the Conservative government."