Lucy Frazer: ‘There will be a battle for the soul of the Conservative Party’

Former Conservative MP Lucy Frazer, who lost her seat to Liberal Democrat Charlotte Cane in Ely & East Cambridgeshire says after tonight there will be “a battle for the soul of the Conservative Party”.

The constituency replaces the former South East Cambridgeshire seat, which was traditionally a Tory stronghold. Lucy Frazer had represented it for the Conservatives since 2015 and served as culture secretary in Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet since 2023.

Ms Frazer said: “Obviously, it’s very disappointing to see what’s happening nationally. And I think the Conservative Party is going to have to reflect on its future going forward and I think there will be a battle for the soul of the Conservative Party.

“I think there was definitely an impact from the Reform vote. I haven’t analysed all the figures yet, but Reform didn’t stand here last time. And so obviously that had an impact.”

She also spoke of her thanks to her team and supporters for their years of hard work.

“I’m very disappointed both personally and for the country because we’ve seen great change happening in the country as a whole. But I’m also really honoured to have served this constituency of South East Cambridgeshire, now reformed as Ely and East Cambridgeshire, for the last nine years and I’ve been very lucky to work with some fabulous local people. And I do think that we have together delivered for the area."

Read Charlotte Cane’s reaction to her election as MP here.

And look out for our election analysis in next week’s cambridge I