Lib Dem sources said their party won the by-election by at least 1,000 votes. The official result is expected to be announced shortly before 4 a.m.
“If I had said six months ago that we were going to win this by-election, everyone would have laughed, and rightly so,” said a stunned insider.
Lib Dem MP Christine Jardin, who is at the count in Crediton, said her party would now target the seats of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the next election.
She told the Telegraph: “It’s huge. It’s the biggest majority toppled since 1935 in a by-election and it should send a message to the government.
“If I was a Tory MP right now, I’m amazed they haven’t acted yet, that they don’t see the writing on the wall.
“If they can lose seats that they consider as safe as this, then Prime Minister and Dominic Raab, their majorities are way smaller than what you have here. They should think about it. »
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