Friday 24 June 2022 11:03 AM Sir Ed Davey says Boris Johnson 'must go' as he heralds 'huge victory' for Lib ... trends now
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for Boris Johnson to go after the prime minister suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Tiverton and Honiton by-election.
The Conservatives lost the previously ultra-safe, Brexit-backing seat to the Lib Dems, with Richard Foord winning by more than 6,000 votes in a seat where the party came third in 2019.
The 24,000 deficit is believed to be the largest majority ever overturned in a by-election.
Speaking after the historic result, Mr Davey told Sky News: 'It's a huge victory for the Liberal Democrats, we're very excited, but it's a big issue for our country.
'I think the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for the British people and I think they've said loud and clear that Boris Johnson must go.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for Boris Johnson to go after the prime minister suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Tiverton and Honiton by-election
The Liberal Democrat leader said the vote shows the public disaffection with the current government
'When we were talking to people on the doorsteps, they do see him as a lying lawbreaker and they see him as someone who doesn't have a plan for our country that's suffering in the chaos and the cost of living crisis, with an NHS that isn't getting properly supported.
'So Liberal Democrats put our positive message to people, they backed us in their droves and I think they want me to come on to your programme and say to the government, Boris Johnson must go.'
Mr Johnson has acknowledged that the results are 'tough' but vowed to 'keep going' - despite the losses dealing another blow to his authority.
Some 270 miles to the north east from Tiverton, the Tories also ceded Wakefield to Labour after holding the Red Wall seat for just three years, with Simon Lightwood winning a near-5,000 majority in a vote called after the previous Tory MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, was jailed for child sex offences.
Cabinet allies are scrambling to shore up Johnson today as he vowed to 'keep going' despite Tory chair Oliver Dowden dramatically
