2016 Richmond Park by-election

UK parliamentary by-election May 2020 2016 Richmond Park by-election United Kingdom Parliamentary no 2015 United Kingdom general election 2015 1 December 2016 2017 United Kingdom general election 2017 Richmond Park constituency 53.4% ( 23.0 pp) Sarah Olney 150x150px|Sarah Olney Liberal Democrats (UK) 20,510 49.7% 30.4 pp Zac Goldsmith 150x150px|Zac Goldsmith Independent politician 18,638 45.2% 13.1 pp MP Zac Goldsmith Conservative Sarah Olney Liberal Democrats A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Richmond Park was held on 1 December 2016. It was triggered by the resignation of incumbent Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) Zac Goldsmith, who stood down to re-contest his seat as an independent over the Conservative government's proposal for a third runway at the nearby Heathrow Airport. It was won by Sarah Olney of the Liberal Democrats, after a campaign focused on opposition to Brexit. Background When first elected in the 2010 general election and on several subsequent occasions, Goldsmith had promised that he would resign if the government supported a third runway at Heathrow.http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclusive-zac-goldsmith-resigns-as-richmond-park-mp_uk_580f38e6e4b0f479c0d7e30d?14550v8ubm3n5ewmi Exclusive: Zac Goldsmith To Resign Over Heathrow 25 October 2016 Following his re-election in the 2015 general election, he stood as the Conservative candidate in the 2016 London mayoral election, and lost to Sadiq Khan. When the May ministry announced on 25 October 2016 that the government would support a third runway at Heathrow, Goldsmith resigned his seat. Candidates Goldsmith stood as an independent candidate.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/25/zac-goldsmith-to-resign-as-tory-mp-after-heathrow-go-ahead Zac Goldsmith to resign as Tory MP after Heathrow go-ahead Jessica Elgot Rowena Mason Gwyn Topham 25 October 2016 The Guardianhttps://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/zac-goldsmith-conservatives-vow-not-to-field-candidate-in-richmond-park-byelection-after-mp-quits-a3378666.html Conservatives vow not to field candidate in by-election after MP quits 25 October 2016 26 October 2016 He was described as an "Independent Conservative",http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/10/zac-goldsmith-stand-point-resignation/ If Zac Goldsmith is standing again, what is the point of his resignation? - Coffee House 25 October 2016 26 October 2016September 2026 InternetArchiveBot although that ballot paper description has not been permitted since the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 came into force.Information on Registering a Political PartySeptember 2026 InternetArchiveBot The Conservative Party decided not to stand an official candidate against him, because the local party members were reported to be supportive of Goldsmith's stance, and putting up a candidate could have split the vote and led to the Liberal Democrats winning the seat.The Telegraph Wilkinson Michael 25 October 2016 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/25/zac-goldsmith-quits-as-tory-mp-for-richmond-park-over-heathrow-a/ Zac Goldsmith immediately quits as Tory MP for Richmond Park in protest over Heathrow expansion 28 October 2016https://uk.yahoo.com/news/zac-goldsmith-resigns-mp-over-heathrow-runway-decision-164300574.html Zac Goldsmith resigns as Tory MP over Heathrow runway decision 25 October 2016 26 October 2016http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/can-zac-goldsmith-win-richmond-park-by-election-after-quitting-house-commons-1588218 Richmond Park by-election: Tories face 'knife-edge' vote if they challenge Zac Goldsmith International Business Times 2016-10-25 2016-10-30 While not officially backed by the Conservative Party, his campaign was supported by some Conservative parliamentarians, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, a supporter of Heathrow expansion and Brexit,http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/jacob-rees-mogg-disagrees-zac-goldsmith-over-heathrow-heres-why-he-still-backing-him-1591710 Jacob Rees-Mogg disagrees with Zac Goldsmith over Heathrow – but here's why he is still backing him Ian Silvera 16 November 2016 as well as Tania Mathias, Theresa VilliersAdam Bienkov Zac Goldsmith campaigns alongside pro-Heathrow Tory MP http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2016/11/10/zac-goldsmith-campaigns-alongside-pro-heathrow-tory-mp politics.co.uk 10 November 2016 10 November 2016 and Lord True, leader of Richmond Council.https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/richmond-park-byelection-lib-dems-claim-they-are-close-to-pulling-off-upset-against-zac-goldsmith-a3406496.html Lib Dems say they are close to pulling off upset against Zac Goldsmith 28 November 2016 A leader for the Evening Standard described the Conservative prime minister, Theresa May, as having "endorsed" Goldsmith.https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/indulging-zac-goldsmith-s-games-could-come-back-to-haunt-theresa-may-matthew-dancona-a3408716.html Indulging Zac's games could come back to haunt PM - Matthew d'Ancona 30 November 2016 The local party's website carried contact details for those wanting to support his campaign.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/28/is-progressive-alliance-only-way-stop-hard-right-populism Is a progressive alliance the only way to stop hard-right populism? John Harris 28 November 2016 The Guardian The Liberal Democrats confirmed Sarah Olney, who was selected to fight the constituency in the event of a snap election, as their candidate for the by-election on 30 October.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/30/lib-dems-sarah-olney-to-fight-zac-goldsmith-richmond-park-byelection Lib Dems' Sarah Olney to fight Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park byelection 30 October 2016 The Guardian Olney joined the Liberal Democrats in May 2015, following the general election. She lived locally in North Kingston and worked as an accountant at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington.http://www.rplibdems.org.uk/sarah_olney Sarah Olney - A fresh new voice for Richmond Park & North Kingston 26 July 2016 libdems.org.uk 2016-10-30 Her husband, Ben, was previously employed with the delivery of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, 10 years previously.http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/14918851.REVEALED__Richmond_Park_Lib_Dem_candidate_s_husband_worked_on_Heathrow_Terminal_5/ REVEALED: Richmond Park Lib Dem candidate's husband worked on Heathrow Terminal 5 21 November 2016 http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/14925951.Richmond_Park_by_election_candidates_Zac_Goldsmith_and_Sarah_Olney_go_head_to_head_in_fierce_debate/ Richmond Park by-election candidates Zac Goldsmith and Sarah Olney go head-to-head in fierce debate 24 November 2016 Other notable candidates seeking selection included the future Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who subsequently called for an independent investigation into the selection process before leaving the Liberal Democrats for the Green Party in November the same year.https://www.ft.com/content/2c3ade6d-f6f9-472a-a18d-6e0bb294495e?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Zack Polanski’s journey from Liberal Democrat convert to Green leader 31 May 2026 Financial Times The day after Goldsmith's resignation, three senior Labour Party MPs suggested that Labour could choose not to stand to maximise the chance of defeating Goldsmith in protest at his support for Brexit and his negative campaign against Sadiq Khan in the mayoral contest.http://labourlist.org/2016/10/lewis-nandy-and-reynolds-lets-make-this-a-referendum-on-goldsmith-not-heathrow/ Lewis, Nandy and Reynolds: Let's make this a referendum on Goldsmith, not Heathrow LabourList 2016-10-26 2016-10-30 However, other Labour MPs rejected the suggestion, and the party continued with the process of choosing a candidate.Jessica Elgot https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/26/labour-frontbenchers-urge-party-not-to-contest-richmond-park-byelection Labour frontbenchers urge party not to contest Richmond Park byelection | Politics The Guardian 26 October 2016 2016-10-30Paul Waugh http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/richmond-park-by-election-zac-goldsmith-labour-candidate-progressive-alliance-lisa-nandy-clive-lewis_uk_5810862ee4b0b5cce2cb1e22 Labour WILL Stand A Candidate in Richmond Park By-Election Despite Pleas To Step Aside For Lib Dems HuffPost 2016-10-26 2016-10-30 On 5 November they selected Christian Wolmar,https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37885035 Christian Wolmar to stand for Labour in Richmond Park by-election 5 November 2016 15 November 2016 BBC a transport expert who had stood to be Labour's candidate for London Mayor, finishing fifth out of six candidates. He had opposed Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of Labour.6 November 2016 EXCL Labour by-election candidate Christian Wolmar called on Jeremy Corbyn to quit https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/80538/excl-labour-election-candidate-christian-wolmar live https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221640/https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/80538/excl-labour-election-candidate-christian-wolmar 7 November 2016 15 November 2016 PoliticsHome Wolmar defeated four candidates for the nomination: Ellie Cumbo, a researcher at the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales; Barnaby Marder, a local activist backed by Momentum; Sachin Patel, a supermarket manager and Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers representative who contested the seat for Labour at the 2015 election; and Jessica Toale, who had been an advisor to Ivan Lewis MP.http://labourlist.org/2016/11/richmond-park-shortlist-revealed/ Richmond Park shortlist revealed - LabourList 2 November 2016 15 November 2016 The Green Party leaders hinted that the party might not stand a candidate for fear of splitting the vote. However, they stressed that it was for the local party to decide.http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/greens-consider-not-fighting-richmond-park-by-election-bid-defeat-zac-goldsmith-1588610 Richmond Park by-election: Greens consider not standing in bid to defeat Zac Goldsmith International Business Times 27 October 2016 2016-10-30 The party shared an anti-Brexit and anti-Heathrow expansion stance with the Liberal Democrats. On 2 November, the Richmond Green Party voted against standing a candidate and to back the Liberal Democrat candidate.https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/793914600857165824 NEW: Greens won't stand a candidate in Richmond Park - will back Lib Dems' @sarahjolney1 Twitter Elgot Jessica 2 November 2016 2 November 2016May 2020 On 3 November, the Kingston Green Party did the same, and confirmed that there would not be a Green Party candidate in the by-election.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/04/greens-back-lib-dem-candidate-against-zac-goldsmith-in-byelection?CMP=twt_gu Greens back Lib Dem candidate against Zac Goldsmith in byelection The Guardian 2016-11-04 2016-11-04https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/richmond-park-by-election-zac-goldsmith-green-party-stand-tory-split-vote-a7397391.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/richmond-park-by-election-zac-goldsmith-green-party-stand-tory-split-vote-a7397391.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Green Party stands down in Richmond Park by-election to avoid splitting anti-Tory vote 4 November 2016 15 November 2016 The UK Independence Party, the only other party to stand in 2015, did not put forward a candidate and endorsed Goldsmith.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37786753 UKIP backing Zac Goldsmith in by-election - BBC News Bbc.co.uk 2016-10-27 2016-11-29http://www.ukip.org/ukip_backs_goldsmith_on_his_heathrow_stance UKIP backs Goldsmith on his Heathrow stance UKIP 2016-10-30 September 2026 InternetArchiveBot The Women's Equality Party did not stand a candidate and backed Olney, in opposition to what it described as Goldsmith's record of "racist" campaigning.http://www.womensequality.org.uk/we_join_richmond_alliance_against_racism WE join Richmond alliance against racism 15 November 2016 Fiona Syms stood as an independent, but said she would join the Conservatives if elected.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/06/labour-picks-transport-expert-christian-wolmar-to-fight-zac-gold/ Labour picks transport expert Christian Wolmar to fight Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park by-election The Telegraph 6 November 2016 15 November 2016 The 47-year-old activist was critical of Goldsmith, describing his actions as a "tantrum" and saying he was "abandoning" Conservative voters. Syms described herself as a longstanding Conservative supporter, although she had left the party some time before the by-election was called. Syms was married to Conservative MP Robert Syms for 18 years and claimed 25 years of experience in politics as a speechwriter, organiser and constituency worker.https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/zac-goldsmith-accused-of-heathrow-tantrum-by-tory-mps-exwife-taking-him-on-in-richmond-byelection-a3382941.html Zac Goldsmith accused of Heathrow 'tantrum' by Tory MP's ex-wife 31 October 2016 15 November 2016 She launched her campaign on 5 November.Labour picks transport expert Christian Wolmar to fight Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park by-election https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/06/labour-picks-transport-expert-christian-wolmar-to-fight-zac-gold/ 2016-11-05 2016-11-06 The Telegraph Regular by-election candidate Ankit Love stood for the One Love Party under his claimed title of Maharaja Jammu and Kashmir.http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/a-dogra-bids-to-make-it-in-uk-politics-again/story-Nj728TNlFVH6C7SjG2kEmM.html A Dogra bids to make it in UK politics – again 1 November 2016 15 November 2016 Campaign This was the first UK by-election in which the Conservatives declined to field a candidate in a seat they held since the Bristol South East by-election in 1963, which was triggered to allow Tony Benn to regain the seat he was disqualified from holding upon his inheritance of the Stansgate viscounty.http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/heathrow-expansion-airport-zac-goldsmith-turbulent-politics-analysis-boris-johnson-theresa-may-zaxit-means-zaxit_uk_580fc747e4b0818fc22bfbfe Heathrow and the Turbulent Politics for the Tory Party 25 October 2016 26 October 2016 Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke criticised the decision by the party not to stand.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37816950 Sarah Olney to fight Richmond by-election for Lib Dems 30 October 2016 15 November 2016 BBC The Liberal Democrats also oppose a third runway at Heathrow. They held the seat from 1997 until 2010, when Goldsmith won. They campaigned on an anti-Brexit position, noting Goldsmith's own support for Brexit whereas the area strongly voted for Remain in the 2016 EU membership referendum.Read http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/10/zac-goldsmith-stand-independent-tories-wont-contest/ The LibDems will make the Richmond Park by-election into a referendum on Brexit | Coffee House The Spectator 2016-10-30 September 2026 InternetArchiveBot http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/richmond-park-residents-more-upset-about-brexit-heathrow-says-lib-dem-hopeful-1591605 Richmond Park residents more upset about Brexit than Heathrow, says Lib Dem hopeful Ian Silvera 15 November 2016 The constituency is estimated to have had a 72% support for Remain.https://medium.com/@chrishanretty/the-eu-referendum-how-did-westminster-constituencies-vote-283c85cd20e1 The EU referendum: how did Westminster constituencies vote? Chris Hanretty 29 June 2016 26 October 2016 Goldsmith's Mayoral campaign was also expected to become a focal point of campaigning.http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/elections/2016/10/wholl-win-richmond-park-election Who'll win the Richmond Park by-election? 25 October 2016 26 October 2016 The Liberal Democrat campaign started quickly, with leader Tim Farron first visiting the constituency on 26 October.http://blogs.channel4.com/gary-gibbon-on-politics/richmond-byelection-zac-goldsmith-insurgent-candidate/33752 Can Zac Goldsmith hold back Lib Dems? | Gary Gibbon on Politics Channel 4 2016-10-26 2016-10-30 According to the Daily Mirror, bookmakers had Goldsmith as clear favourite, although the Liberal Democrats were favourite for a period.Peston on Sunday, 30 October 2016, ITV Channel 4 reported senior Liberal Democrats thought odds predicting the Liberal Democrats would do well were over-stated.Allen Gavin https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/everything-you-need-know-zac-9123019 Everything you need to know about Zac Goldsmith's resignation and what it means for the country Daily Mirror 2016-10-25 2016-10-30 Goldsmith said on 28 October that he would be partly funding his campaign himself. He also did not rule out the possibility of re-joining the Conservative Party after the next general election.Pippa Crerar, Nicholas Cecil https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/zac-goldsmith-ive-not-got-a-racist-bone-in-my-body-sadiq-khans-team-outplayed-us-a3381156.html Zac Goldsmith: I've not got a racist bone in my body, Sadiq Khan's team 'outplayed' us London Evening Standard 28 October 2016 2016-10-30 A poll released by BMG Research on 28 October showed Goldsmith on 56% of the vote to Olney's 29%. An as-yet unnamed Labour candidate attracted 11% of the vote, with the Green Party and UKIP tied on 2% each. Asked about the main issues in the election, respondents identified Brexit (25%), Goldsmith's records and views (22%), and Heathrow expansion (21%) as the main issues. Goldsmith supporters were more focused on his record and Heathrow, while Olney supporters focused on Brexit and the Conservative government's record. Labour supporters also identified Brexit as their main consideration. Overall, the poll found 60% opposition to the third runway at Heathrow, 25% support with 14% undecided.http://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/richmond-park-election-voting-key-issue-results/ Evening Standard/BMG Constituency Poll: Richmond Park by-election voting intention and key issue results 28 October 2016 bmgresearch.co.uk 2016-10-30 Nick Clegg, the former Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister, launched Olney's campaign on 31 October/1 November, stressing the party's opposition to Heathrow. He also argued that the Brexit decision, that Goldsmith supported, led to the decision to support Heathrow expansion.https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/nick-clegg-zac-goldsmith-flouncing-out-over-heathrow-is-just-an-empty-gesture-a3383016.html Nick Clegg: Zac flouncing out over Heathrow is just an empty gesture 31 October 2016 15 November 2016 Labour candidate Christian Wolmar attracted attention for a proposal to ban toilet paper, moving instead to the "hands-free spray toilet" popular in Asia.https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/dot-commons-diary/80548/will-next-labour-manifesto-include Will next Labour manifesto include pledge to ban toilet paper? It could if Christian Wolmar becomes an MP 6 November 2016 15 November 2016September 2026 InternetArchiveBot https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/07/labours-candidate-in-richmond-by-election-wants-to-ban-loo-roll/ Labour's candidate in Richmond by-election wants to ban loo roll and doesn't use it at home The Telegraph 7 November 2016 15 November 2016 Hughes Laura An analysis by the King's Fund revealed that the south-west London National Health Service sustainability and transformation plan (STP) is considering cutting acute services at one of five hospitals, including Kingston Hospital, local to the constituency. The Liberal Democrats used this in campaigning to criticise the Conservative government.https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/london-hospital-closure-fears-seized-on-in-byelection-campaign-a3394891.html London hospital closure fears seized on in by-election campaign 14 November 2016 15 November 2016 Olney was also endorsed by the More United campaign group.http://www.moreunited.uk/richmond-park Richmond Park By-ElectionSeptember 2025 InternetArchiveBot In the final weekend of the campaign, the Liberal Democrats released internal polling putting Goldsmith on 46.7%, the Liberal Democrats on 43.3% and Labour on 9.5%.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/26/lib-dems-richmond-byelection-sarah-olney-eu-caroline-lucas-green-party-article-50 Lib Dems eye pro-EU voters in final Richmond byelection push Toby Helm Patrick Maguire 26 November 2016 The Guardian These figures were disputed: one Conservative MP, Kit Malthouse, a former deputy mayor of London, agreed the election was very close, but the Conservative leader of Richmond Council and Goldsmith ally, Lord True, predicted Goldsmith would do much better. In the final week of the campaign, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas campaigned for Olney, while some other local Green Party members were backing Wolmar instead.https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/heathrow-airport-in-row-over-secret-recording-of-richmond-voter-quiz-a3407431.html Heathrow Airport in row over secret recording of Richmond voter quiz 29 November 2016https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/28/caroline-lucas-green-party-richmond-park-byelection-lib-dems Local Greens criticise Caroline Lucas over Richmond Park byelection Jessica Elgot 28 November 2016 The Guardian Musician and poverty campaigner Bob Geldof also came to the constituency to campaign for Olney."Geldof joins the fray 'to fight for Britain'", London Evening Standard, 30 Nov 2016, p. 4 On 30 November, both Olney's and Goldsmith's campaign described the election as close, with the Liberal Democrats' internal polling putting them on 47.2% to Goldsmith's 45.8%.https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/zac-goldsmith-hit-by-his-own-car-on-way-to-richmond-park-byelection-hustings-a3408386.html Zac Goldsmith hit by his own car on way to Richmond Park by-election hustings 30 November 2016 London Evening Standard During the 2017 general election campaign, it emerged that the Greens had been offered £250,000 to not stand in the by-election, although the party did not take up the offer and denied it had influenced their decision.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/11/greens-face-more-questions-over-250k-offer-not-to-stand-in-byelection Greens face more questions over £250k offer not to stand in byelection Syal Rajeev 11 May 2017 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20200421161254/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/11/greens-face-more-questions-over-250k-offer-not-to-stand-in-byelection live 21 April 2020 21 April 2020 Opinion polling Before close of nominations This poll was conducted before nominations for the by-election closed and therefore includes two parties that opted not to stand: the Greens, who supported Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat candidate, and UKIP, who supported Zac Goldsmith. Poll sourceDate(s) administered Samplesize Goldsmith Olney Con Lab Grn UKIP OtherBMG Research/The Evening Standard 26–27 October 2016 543 Richmond Park residents 56% 29% – 11% 2% 2% 0% 34% 24% 20% 11% 5% 3% 1% Following close of nominations After the close of nominations, the only opinion polls released publicly were internal polls commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and shared with The Guardian. Poll sourceDate(s) administered Samplesize Goldsmith Olney Wolmar Liberal Democrat internal https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/30/lib-dems-eye-victory-over-zac-goldsmith-richmond-park Lib Dems eye victory over Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park Jessica Elgot The Guardian 30 November 2016 30 November 2016 Unknown 45.8% 47.2% 6.2% Liberal Democrat internal https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/26/lib-dems-richmond-byelection-sarah-olney-eu-caroline-lucas-green-party-article-50 Lib Dems eye pro-EU voters in final Richmond byelection push Toby Helm Patrick Maguire The Guardian 26 November 2016 26 November 2016 Unknown 46.7% 43.3% 9.5% Result By-election 2016: Richmond ParkDonovan Tim Tactics reduce candidates for Richmond Park by-election BBC News 7 November 2016 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37899404 8 November 2016http://www.richmond.gov.uk/notice_of_poll_spn_sops_richmond_park_by_election_2016.pdf Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations Maidment Mark 8 November 2016 Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council https://web.archive.org/web/20161109152749/https://www.richmond.gov.uk/notice_of_poll_spn_sops_richmond_park_by_election_2016.pdf dead 9 November 2016 21 April 2020https://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=81&RPID=503020385 Election results for Richmond Park, 1 December 2016 1 December 2016 Liberal Democrats (UK) Sarah Olney 20,510 49.68 +30.41 Independent politician Zac Goldsmith 18,638 45.15 -13.06n Compared to his vote share as a Conservative candidate at the previous election. Labour Party (UK) Christian Wolmar 1,515 3.67 -8.67 Official Monster Raving Loony Party Howling Laud Hope 184 0.45 New Independent politician Fiona Syms 173 0.42 New Christian Peoples Alliance Dominic Stockford 164 0.40 New One Love Party Maharaja Jammu and Kashmir 67 0.16 New No label David Powell 32 0.08 New 1,872 4.53 N/A 41,283 53.44 -23.01 Liberal Democrats (UK) Conservative Party (UK) +21.73n Calculated on the basis of the vote share for Zac Goldsmith as a Conservative at the previous election and as an independent at this election. This was the first time the Liberal Democrats had gained a seat in a House of Commons by-election since the 2006 Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, and their first gain from the Conservatives since the 2000 Romsey by-election. It was also the largest increase in vote share they had obtained in a by-election since the 1993 Christchurch by-election. Six months later, Zac Goldsmith regained the seat in the 2017 general election by 45 votes. Olney would again defeat Goldsmith in the 2019 general election. Previous results 2015 general election General election 2015: Richmond ParkElection Data 2015 http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt Electoral Calculus 17 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt 17 October 2015http://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=77&RPID=18489113 Election results for Richmond Park 25 October 2016 6 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180106183932/http://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=77&RPID=18489113 dead https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000896 Richmond Park parliamentary constituency – Election 2015 BBC News 8 May 2015 Conservative Party (UK) Zac Goldsmith 34,404 58.21 +8.5 Liberal Democrats (UK) Robin Meltzer 11,389 19.27 -23.5 Labour Party (UK) Sachin Patel 7,296 12.34 +7.3 Green Party of England and Wales Andrée Frieze 3,548 6.00 +5.0 UK Independence Party Sam Naz 2,464 4.17 +3.0 23,015 38.94 +32.0 59,101 76.5 -0.4 Conservative Party (UK) +16.0 2016 EU referendum result The results in the EU referendum on 23 June 2016 were reported by local authority, and, as the constituency consists of parts of two local authorities, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the exact referendum vote in Richmond Park is not known. However, Chris Hanretty, a reader in politics at the University of East Anglia, estimated through a demographic model that Richmond Park had one of the dozen lowest leave votes in the entire country. His latest estimates suggest that 27.7% of Richmond Park voters voted leave, and thus that 72.3% voted remain.https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wTK5dV2_YjCMsUYlwg0l48uWWf44sKgG8uFVMv5OWlA/edit#gid=893960794 Revised estimates of leave vote in Westminster constituencies 26 October 2016 See also List of United Kingdom by-elections (2010–present) Footnotes n References External links Zac Goldsmith's campaign Richmond Park Liberal Democrats Richmond Park by-election Richmond Park by-election Richmond Park,2016 Richmond Park by-election Category:History of Heathrow Airport