Pro-EU candidate wins London ‘Brexit by-election’

Sarah Olney, a pro-European Liberal Democrat candidate, who campaigned on a call for a second Brexit referendum on the terms of the negotiation for the UK to leave the EU, won a by-election in the Richmond Park constituency on the 1 December 2016.

Her main competition came from ex-Tory MP Zac Goldsmith, who stood this time as an independent, campaigning against a new runway for Heathrow Airport. However, the Liberal Democrats focused their campaigned on the need for the UK to negotiate for a 'soft' Brexit.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Why Brexit may revive Liberal Democrats / Richmond Park pro-European primary launches tomorrow http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-brexit-may-revive-liberal-democrats-richmond-park-pro-european-primary-launches-tomorrow/

BBC News, 02.12.16: Lib Dems oust Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park by-election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38178486

The Guardian, 02.12.16: [Analysis]: Richmond Park: Lib Dems' celebration should be a cautious one https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/02/richmond-park-lib-dems-celebration-should-be-a-cautious-one

Politico, 02.12.16: Brexit backlash sees Lib Dems pull off by-election win http://www.politico.eu/article/lib-dems-win-richmond-park-brexit/

Politico, 02.12.16: Revenge of the Remainers http://www.politico.eu/article/revenge-of-the-remainers-lib-dems-richmond-brexit/

The Conversation, 02.12.16: Heathrow, Brexit and a pointless political suicide – that Richmond by-election in full https://theconversation.com/heathrow-brexit-and-a-pointless-political-suicide-that-richmond-by-election-in-full-69808

---