Lib Dem Sarah Olney’s victory in the Richmond Park Parliamentary by-election shows we can change the way our country seems to be going. 

For many, the growth of intolerance, isolationism and division boosted by the Tory right and UKIP seemed inevitable. 

Sarah’s win shows it is not. 

As a newcomer to politics, Sarah joined the Lib Dems because, like us, she wants to build a society that is essentially liberal minded, open and kind hearted, just as Britain historically has been.

Sarah took on and beat a pro-Brexit MP, one of the wealthiest MPs in the House of Commons. 

Standing as an independent in the by-election, he was backed by UKIP and other right-wing Brexit Tories.

Sarah took on his ‘big money’ and reactionary politics. She won. That win gives hope to all of us who share her open, tolerant, and internationally-minded, liberal outlook. 

Sarah’s decision to stand-up for these values by joining and actively engaging with the Liberal Democrats should also act as a call to arms. 
Tens of thousands have followed her example and many would be very welcome to do so.

If Theresa May decides to call a general election to push her ‘hard’ Brexit outcome. If she does we Liberal Democrats are ready. Despite James Gray MP’s protestations, the recorded North Wiltshire EU referendum count showed a majority voted to Remain in the EU. 

Just as they did in Witney and Richmond Park. There the Lib Dem vote surged and the Tories slumped. 

The vote shifts in either would have seen the end of our Brexit MP James Gray and a Lib Dem elected here in North Wiltshire. 

I would also not be alone in representing Wiltshire as my colleague Helen Belcher for Chippenham and perhaps even others elsewhere in our county would also win. 

So “bring it on” Mrs May is what I say.

DR BRIAN MATHEW
Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for North Wiltshire