On Monday I wrote that we Liberal Democrats should use our momentum from Charlie Clinton’s success in Alperton to charge ahead as we gear up for the locals in May. Well later that very same day it appeared that we now may just have our chance.
The jailing of Cheshire MP Mike Amesbury for ten weeks following his assault of a constituent means that a recall petition has been triggered, and a by-election looms for the constituents of Runcorn and Helsby. This is undoubtedly a huge headache for the Prime Minister, who now faces his first by election since moving into 10 Downing Street. For us Lib Dems, it’s an opportunity.
Amesbury has already had the whip removed and is now facing calls to step down. This, combined with the recall petition, means a by-election is likely. Besides, Members of Parliament have a difficult job as it is, without having to work remotely from one His Majesty’s Prisons.
Jokes aside, we have an opportunity to give our colleagues Tom Morrison MP (Cheadle) and Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove) a new neighbour up in Cheshire, and put up a proper fight against Reform. But it’s not going to be easy. Predictions are flowing in that Reform UK is going to capitalise on its national momentum and add a 6th to their gaggle of populist parliamentarians.
Josh Self in Politics.co.uk is right when he says that Farage will be hellbent on securing another seat for Reform, but not just because of the extra short money which will be his “proof” that he is the true opposition. Another thing he gets right, however, is acknowledging the skill, dedication, and lethal effectiveness of our Liberal Democrat local campaigners:
“Can Reform replicate the by-election-winning capability of the Liberal Democrats historically? Will mere motivation prove an ample counterweight if the get-the-vote-out operation is found lacking? In other words: is Reform ready?” – Josh Self, Editor at Politics.co.uk
Reform aren’t the only ones with national momentum. YouGov has us up two points, from 14% to 16%—our highest polling since 2019. But polls don’t win elections—campaigning does. Now, we need to turn that energy into action, take the fight to Reform, and prove once again that when it comes to by-elections, no one outworks the Liberal Democrats. Cheshire is ours to win—let’s get to it.
