Lib Dems Have 'Crucial Role' In Removing Johnson From Power, Says Deputy Leader

The Liberal Democrats' historic victory in North Shropshire shows the party can play a “crucial role” in removing Boris Johnson from office at the next general election, deputy leader Daisy Cooper has claimed. Her comments, in an article for The Independent, come a fortnight after the party overturned a 23,000 majority in an ultra-safe Conservative seat and delivered a major blow to the prime minister's authority.

- Ashley Cowburn

The by-election was triggered after the government abandoned their attempt to prevent a 30-day suspension for Tory MP Owen Paterson, resulting in his resignation from the Commons and a toxic row over sleaze in politics.

Offering a glimpse of the Liberal Democrats' electoral strategy going forward, Ms Cooper said a formal pact with the Labour a Party would be counterproductive and described the concept of a progressive alliance as “flawed”. However, she stressed that tactical voting would be crucial during the next general election in unseating Tory MPs, and hinted that opposition parties should concentrate on informal pacts, targeting resources wherever they have the “best chance of winning”.

Recalling conversations on the doorstep in North Shropshire, the deputy leader claimed lifelong Tory voters had switched to the Liberal Democrats because they were “fed up with the current government and Boris Johnson's lack of decency”.

Just like in Chesham and Amersham in July, people were switching to the Liberal Democrats in their droves because they were sick of being taken for granted,” she said. “Like the political earthquake that saw the red wall crumble in 2019, this is part of a seismic shift in British politics.”