Lib Dems’ major ‘parks tank’ on Tories’ Blue Wall lawn
THE Liberal Democrats have chosen a former Army major to fight a “Blue Wall” by-election as they “park their tanks” on the Conservatives’ lawn.
Richard Foord, a 44-year-old veteran who trained at Sandhurst and won medals in Iraq and the Balkans, will contest the Tiverton and Honiton byelection next month, following the resignation of Neil Parish.
Mr Parish, the former Tory MP, admitted watching pornography in the House of Commons and resigned his seat last month.
Though he held a majority of 24,000 votes, the scandal and a shift of Conservative voters towards the Lib Dems means the seat is considered marginal.
Mr Foord is described by party sources as a “classical liberal” who was first inspired to join the Lib Dems under the leadership of Paddy Ashdown.
It is hoped his support for lower taxes and military background could entice Tory voters to switch parties.
A Conservative Party source said it was likely the seat would fall to the Lib Dems, piling pressure on Boris Johnson to shore up support in “Blue Wall” areas rather than focusing solely on “Red Wall” seats in the North of England.
Tory strategists are also expecting difficulty in persuading London-based activists to campaign in Tiverton and Honiton because the Devon constituency is too far away.
The by-election will take place on June 23, the six-year anniversary of the Brexit referendum, and will be seen as a key test for Mr Johnson in advance of the next general election.
Mr Foord said: “Boris Johnson’s Conservatives are taking rural communities in Devon for granted.
“Towns and villages across the constituency are being hit hard by unfair tax hikes and receiving no help with spiralling energy bills and rising prices at the fuel pump.”
A Lib Dem source said the party was hoping to repeat its success at the North Shropshire by-election last year, when Helen Morgan unseated the Conservatives following the resignation of Owen Paterson.
“We are planting our tanks firmly on the Tories’ lawn,” the source said.