BBC just reporting a major upset in the UK's Richmond by-election 2 Dec
The Liberal Democrats have won the Richmond Park by-election, overturning a 23,015 majority to oust ex-Tory MP Zac Goldsmith who stood as an Independent after leaving the Conservative Party in protest at the government's decision to back a third Heathrow runway.
Lib Dem Sarah Olney, who is also opposed to Heathrow expansion, fought the campaign on the issue of Brexit and polled 20,510 votes to Mr Goldsmith's 18,638.
The Conservative Party, UK Independence Party and Green Party did not field candidates.
Said Olney in her victory speech:
"A year and a half ago I wasn't involved in politics, I wasn't a member of a political party, I had never been involved in a political campaign, I had never thought about being a politician.
"But I knew I was a liberal.
"When I saw what happened in the general election last year I felt I had to get involved."
"The people of Richmond Park and North Kingston have sent a shockwave through this Conservative Brexit government, and our message is clear: we do not want a hard Brexit.
"We do not want to be pulled out of the single market, and we will not let intolerance, division and fear win."
The Beeb have more here
GBPUSD 1.2611 near session highs after finding support into 1.2560 yesterday and 1.2580 in Asia after yesterday's 1.2695 where I recommended going short.
The result will be a concern to the govt but GBP always liking "soft Brexit" tones at the moment.
The protest vote is alive and well as we move into the Italian referendum and Austrian elections this week-end.
