Foord: By-election win shows the West Country is ready for change

Responding to the Liberal Democrat victory in the Somerton & Frome by-election, which saw the party overturn a huge 19,000 majority with a 29% swing from the Conservatives, Tiverton & Honiton MP Richard Foord said:

"This stunning success shows the strength of feeling across the West Country. The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for everyone in our part of the world who is fed up of the chaos brought on by this Conservative government.

"People are struggling to see a GP or dentist because health services have been neglected. Mortgages are spiralling after the Conservatives crashed the economy. Farmers have been sold-out through shoddy trade deals, and the Conservatives have allowed water companies to pump filthy sewage into our rivers.

"It's obvious that here in Devon, and in communities across the South West, the Liberal Democrats are the main challengers to the Conservatives and are the voice for change - standing up for local communities that are fed up with being taken for granted.

"The only way to get rid of this Conservative government in places like ours is to vote for the Liberal Democrats. Together we can get our rural communities the fair deal they deserve."