One of Wiltshire’s newest MPs has pledged to “fight” for her constituents with “job opportunities” on the agenda.
Sarah Gibson was elected as the MP for Chippenham during a historic election in which the Liberal Democrats had won 71 seats at the time of writing, the most in the party’s history.
Fighting in the redrawn constituency, which includes Corsham, Calne, and Royal Wootton Bassett, Mrs Gibson comfortably defeated Conservative candidate Nic Puntis by 22,552 votes to 14,414.
The seat had previously belonged to former Conservative MP Michelle Donelan, who was beaten in Melksham and Devizes.
After the declaration, which occured at around 4.30am on Friday, July 5, Mrs Gibson thanked voters and pledged to fight for all members of the constituency.
She said: “To all of those that helped this is your victory, and it’s part of a historic victory for the Liberal Democrats and the people of Chippenham.
“I will be the MP you deserve, who cares, listens, and works hard… I am truly humbled.
“After growing up in Wiltshire I am honoured to have been elected to represent you, this is no doubt the honour of my life.
READ MORE: General Election 2024 Chippenham constituency results
Sarah Gibson (Image: Sarah Gibson)
“I would like to thank all the wonderful people here in Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Royal Wootton Bassett and places in between.”
Mrs Gibson revealed she had been told of people’s fears during the campaign, over issues including rising energy prices, environmental damage, and the strain on the NHS.
She added: “I do hear that, we’ve been badly let down and taken for granted again and again by this departing Conservative government.
“However, no matter how you voted, I will fight all year round for the people of Chippenham.
“I will not let you down, the Liberal Democrats of Wiltshire will not let you down, I will work hard every day and be a strong voice to fix the damage that’s been done and improve the quality of life for residents, our environment, and the things we hold dear.”
Speaking to this paper in the early hours of the morning, Mrs Gibson said her work would include focusing on creating job opportunities in the area.
She said: “There are obvious things of trying to make sure we have more GPs and dealing with some of the pollution in our rivers.
“Locally, what I would really like to see is that in four years’ time I have done something to improve the job opportunities and the general economy of this area so areas of deprivation feel like they have a future here.”
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