Sarah Dyke | |
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![]() Official portrait, 2023 | |
Member of Parliament for Somerton and Frome | |
Assumed office 20 July 2023 | |
Preceded by | David Warburton |
Majority | 11,008 (28.4%) |
Member of Somerset Council for Blackmoor Vale | |
Assumed office 5 May 2022 Serving with Nicola Clark | |
Preceded by | Division established |
Personal details | |
Born | 1971 (age 52–53) |
Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Education | Warminster School |
Alma mater | Harper Adams University |
Website | www |
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]