Lib Dem candidate drops out of race in key target seat because she’s ‘moving house’ when the election is on
A LIB DEM candidate in a key target seat has dropped out of the race - because she's MOVING HOUSE when the election is on.
Daisy Benson - who was standing in Yeovil, Somerset - cited personal reasons for stepping aside from the chance to become a Member of Parliament.
She said in a statement that she couldn't devote 100 per cent of her time to the campaign, because she was "just in the process of completing purchasing a house within the constituency".
Ms Benson, who was announced as the prospective 2020 election candidate for the area earlier this year, said it would be "unfair" to the local party if she couldn't play a full part.
The Liberal Democrats lost all of their seats in the West Country in 2015 - and now have just nine MPs across the whole of the UK.
They are hoping to take back lost seats in the upcoming vote.
Some Tories in the South West of England are fearing a yellow-surge as angry Remainers seek to back Tim Farron's anti-Brexit party.
Statement from Daisy Benson
"With regret I've decided not to put myself forward to stand for the Liberal Democrats in Yeovil in the upcoming snap General Election.
"Although I've been preparing for the past year, this election unfortunately comes at precisely the wrong time for me. I'm just in the process of completing purchasing a house within the constituency.
"It would be unfair to constituents and the local party not to be able to devote 100% of my time to campaigning in this election but plan to play as a full part as I can in the coming weeks to ensure Yeovil returns a Liberal Democrat MP."
Ms Benson said the snap poll, which will take place on June 8, came at "precisely the wrong time for me".
The news comes as Bath's Lib Dem candidate pulled out as well.
Jay Risbridger withdrew less than a week after the snap election was called.
He cited personal reasons relating to his family and business commitments.
The party said in a statement: "The Liberal Democrats have announced that their candidate for Bath MP, Jay Risbridger has stepped down for personal reasons relating to his family and business commitments.
"Due to the unexpected timing of this snap election, these would have prevented him from being able to fully commit himself to the campaign to win Bath.
"His replacement will be chosen by local Liberal Democrat Party members soon."