THE result of a by-election in what was considered a rock solid Conservative constituency means that the Liberal Democrats could take Ludlow at a future general election.

The Liberal Democrats won the seat in Buckinghamshire with a swing of more than 20 per cent against the Conservatives.

According to Andy Boddington, Liberal Democrat councillor for Ludlow North on Shropshire Council, this could put Philip Dunne MP under threat at a future general election.

“Lib Dems were in a state of high excitement having won the Chesham and Amersham by-election by a mile and a half,” said Mr Boddington.

“Although I don’t often publish national political stuff, the result was a game changer.

“It would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention it. And the comments made by the defeated Tory candidate show how out of touch the Tories have become.”

He said that the result was achieved because of the size of the swing.

“How arrogant they have become,” added Mr Boddington.

“There was a 25 per cent swing to the Lib Dems in Chesham and Amersham on Thursday.

“That is huge. Ludlow constituency has been Lib Dem in the past.

“We would need a swing of 23.5 per cent. That now look achievable. A big challenge. But achievable.”

Although widely considered to be a safe Conservative seat, Ludlow did have a Liberal Democrat MP from 2001 to 2005.

In 2001 Matthews Green won the seat with a swing of more than 40 per cent but was beaten in 2005 by Mr Dunne, who has held it comfortably ever since.

The 2001 victory was a perfect storm for the Conservatives who were at a very low ebb nationally.

There were also exceptional local issues.

Christopher Gill, who had been the MP since 1987 was controversially deselected because of his Euro-sceptic views and Martin Taylor-Smith, who would go on to be a Shropshire councillor and Ludlow Mayor, was seen by many to have been parachuted in from the south of England.

Since then the Liberal Democrats have never seriously threatened Mr Dunne’s hold on the constituency.