Tory voters’ HS2 fury fuelled the Lib Dem victory
TORY voters switched allegiance in the by-election because they were “fed up and furious” over the HS2 high-speed rail project.
Planning reform fears and feeling “ignored” by the party also fuelled the shock Lib Dem victory by Sarah Green that left Tory candidate Peter Fleet heavily defeated.
Conservative backbenchers warned the party must take the concerns seriously.
Tory MP Bob Seely urged the Government to make new planning rules “communityled”, and called for “evolution, not revolution”.
The trains, inset, due to run through the Chilterns have infuriated local residents.
Many are opposed to the project on environmental grounds.
Constituent Alan Price, 82, said he voted for Lib Dem candidate Sarah Green despite being a long-time Tory supporter.
He said: “I just wanted to see a change. Like many, I’m so fed up and furious over the building of HS2. It’s a big, big bugbear.
“My partner lives in Maidenhead and I used to be able to travel there in 30 minutes or so, now it takes me at least two hours. It’s chaotic.
“It’s been really hard as she’s become ill. I don’t think they realise how many people it has affected.”
Shabaz Nawaz, who works at Simply The Best launderette, said: “It’s the railway, HS2, that’s done it. Everywhere around here the traffic is unbearable.” Jit Mistry, owner of Chesham Post Office, said: “This is a beautiful place but people are totally against what’s happening with the railway.”
A number of people in the town said they have felt “ignored” by the party that has represented them since 1974 when the seat was created – and that included young people.
Aishah Sheikh, 29, manager of Ask hairdressers, said: “That Boris Johnson decided to turn up last week, it was obvious they knew this was a possibility. They were worried.
“The irony is I don’t think it helped the Tories because he turned up without a face mask and was shaking people’s hands. People didn’t like that.”
Emma Hogg, 53, a charityshop volunteer, said: “I don’t think the Conservatives have done a bad job with the coronavirus pandemic. I mean no government has had to face this before.
“But with people in lockdown for 18 months and then another four weeks added just before the vote, people are just desperate for a change.
“People are frustrated and I get that.
“We also pay very high rates and tax here and nothing gets done, the roads are full of pot holes and even though that might seem like a small thing, when you’re paying premium rates something like that affects people’s day to day lives.
“People are very angry and fed up.”