By-elections are notoriously unpredictable, won on protest votes. The result is normally reversed at general election. Richmond Park seat won by LibDem Sarah Onley was no exception, except no one predicted that 23k Conservative majority could be overturned, especially as Zac Goldsmith was fighting on principle, keeping his promise to resign if the government goes ahead with Heathrow expansion. (HE) Zac was given clear run by Conservative, UKIP and Green party. It is indeed an early Christmas present for LibDem.
This was indeed poor, pretentious judgement, almost fiduciary act on Zac’s part, repudiated by his constituents. He failed to understand Brexit result which was more important to his constituents than HE who voted enemas in favour of remaining in EU. This is second consecutive defeat for self-opinionated, saunter Zac who also lost Mayoral election. His political future is now uncertain, as Conservatives will not forget his rash, foolish decision to resign and dilute their paper thin majority. Only consolation for Tories is that Labour came poor third, losing deposit, prototype result for “General Election”. There are hardly any safe Labour seats, especially if LibDem and UKIP target Labour, as promised.
This one party scenario is bad for democracy, as flourishing democracy requires vibrant opposition to keep government under pressure to perform. Otherwise it could be akin to one party State.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
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