In a landmark victory, Olly Glover of the Liberal Democrats has secured the highly-contested Didcot and Wantage seat, defeating his nearest competitor, David Johnston of the Conservatives, by a significant margin of 6,233 votes. This dramatic shift from the 2019 general election marks a historic realignment in this constituency. Glover clinched the win with an impressive 21,793 votes during the 2024 general election.
Johnston, who had held the seat since 2019, managed to secure 15,560 votes, resulting in an end to his tenure. This outcome represents a significant change in a constituency once considered a Conservative stronghold, previously represented by notable figures such as former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Michael Heseltine.
Glover Shares His Vision
Following his victory, Glover expressed his sincere gratitude to the community. “I am feeling pleased, excited, and I suppose a bit bewildered, but really excited about the opportunity I’ve been given by the people of Didcot and Wantage and looking forward to the next steps,” he shared during an interview.
Glover further acknowledged the strategic voting by constituents that contributed to his win, reiterating his commitment to advancing a proportional representation voting system for future elections. “My first message to the people of Didcot and Wantage is thank you very much, and I know a lot of people tactically voted for us. I remain committed to a proportional representation system so you don’t have to do that in the future,” he stated.
Priorities for the Constituency
Glover emphasized key priorities for his term, including improving GP surgery capacity, addressing the local issue of sewerage dumping, and supporting enhancements to the transport network by working closely with councils. For individuals and businesses looking to contribute to the community, explore ways to get involved or offer services through local opportunities in the Public Services Directory.
A Lib Dem Hat-Trick
The 2024 general election saw a remarkable performance by the Liberal Democrats, with Glover’s win contributing to an unprecedented hat-trick. Layla Moran retained Oxford West and Abingdon, while Freddie Van Mierlo took the Henley and Thame seat. This marked the first time in history that a party other than the Conservatives represented this region.
Reflecting on the monumental victory, Glover said, “It is a big win. I haven’t actually worked out the swing, but it must be pretty enormous for an effective Conservative majority of 10,000 votes to turn into a 6,200 majority for us.”
The Changing Political Landscape of Oxfordshire
These elections reshaped Oxfordshire’s political structure. The Liberal Democrats now hold six constituencies in the county, while Labour secured two seats—Banbury and Oxford East. In a historic turn of events, the Conservatives were left without any representation in the region.
Get Involved Locally
As new developments unfold for Wantage and the broader area, there are numerous ways to support and participate in local activities. Whether you’re a resident, local business, or organization looking to contribute, you can create a free local business profile or submit events via the Wantage Directory. Take part in shaping your community through these resources:
