Councillor
Sarah Dyke
MP
Official portrait, 2023
Member of Parliament
for Somerton and Frome
Assumed office
20 July 2023
Preceded byDavid Warburton
Majority11,008 (28.4%)
Member of Somerset Council
for Blackmoor Vale
Assumed office
5 May 2022
Serving with Nicola Clark
Preceded byDivision established
Personal details
Born1971 (age 52–53)
Political partyLiberal Democrats
EducationWarminster School
Alma materHarper Adams University

Sarah Joanne Dyke (born 1971) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Somerton and Frome since the 2023 by-election in the constituency. She succeeded David Warburton, who had resigned from Parliament over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Early life and education

Sarah Joanne Dyke, born in 1971, comes from a Somerset farming family that can be traced back over 250 years to the local area.[1][2][3] She was educated at Warminster School and studied Agricultural and Business Studies at Harper Adams University.[2]

Local government career

Dyke has represented Blackmoor Vale on Somerset Council since the 2022 election and was lead member for environment and climate change.[4] She chaired the regeneration board for the council.[5][6]

Parliamentary career

Dyke was selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Somerton and Frome in May 2022.[7] On 17 June 2023, David Warburton, MP for Somerton and Frome since 2015, announced his intention to resign from Parliament following allegations of sexual harassment.[8] During her campaign it was reported that Dyke was a supporter of Extinction Rebellion.[9]

Dyke was elected as MP for the seat at the July 2023 by-election, with 21,187 votes (54.6 per cent): a majority of 11,008 (28.4 per cent) on a swing of 29.0% from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats.[10] On her election, she commented on the absence of her predecessor, saying: "Instead of an absent Conservative MP letting you down, you have an active Lib Dem MP lifting you up."[11]

In the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Somerton and Frome is expected to be abolished as a parliamentary constituency at the next general election, to form two new constituencies: Glastonbury and Somerton and Frome and East Somerset.[11]

She was sworn in as an MP on 4 September 2023 following the summer break.[12]

Personal life

At the time of her election she owned sixty sheep, four dogs and a cat.[2] She runs a second-hand goods business, Vintage Ghetto.[2][13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "Election ... Somerton and Frome constituency: Notice of poll and persons nominated". Somerset Council. 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023. DYKE, Sarah Joanne
  2. 1 2 3 4 Whannel, Kate (21 July 2023). "Somerton win means there are 10 Lib Dem women MPs in Commons". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Lib Dems pick Sarah Dyke for Somerton and Frome". www.libdems.org.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Clarke, Lewis (20 June 2023). "Liberal Democrats reveal 'passionate' candidate Sarah Dyke at by-election launch". Somerset Live. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Wincanton councillors 'disappointed' by regeneration U-turn". BBC News. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Councillor details – Councillor Sarah Dyke". democracy.somerset.gov.uk. Somerset Council. 21 July 2023. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  7. ↑ Pack, Mark (14 May 2022). "Sarah Dyke selected for Somerton and Frome". Mark Pack. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "David Warburton quits as MP, triggering another by-election". BBC News. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  9. ↑ Sawer, Patrick; Somerville, Ewan (30 June 2023). "Lib Dem 'farmers' candidate' in Somerset by-election is pro-vegan Extinction Rebellion supporter". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Lib Dems win Somerton and Frome by-election after ex-Tory MP stood down following drug scandal". Sky News. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Somerton and Frome by-election: Sarah Dyke promises to be 'active' MP". BBC News. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "Somerset MP Sarah Dyke 'humbled' to take seat in House of Commons". BBC News. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Vintage Ghetto – Vintage style for you, your home & garden". Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "VIintage Ghetto Ltd". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Companies House. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
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