Liz Leffman’s campaign in Witney has received another boost as a rival candidate has thrown his weight behind her campaign.

Adam Knight, who last week put in papers to stand as an independent, has now endorsed Liz. The photo shows Adam, Liz and Tim Farron at the Lib Dem HQ in Witney.

Adam is an Angel Investor, supporting initiatives to give opportunities to young people, and has previously been Head of Commodities for Credit Suisse. He was educated locally and is campaigning to bring more affordable housing to a greater swathe of the population.

Tim Farron welcomed this development

I am delighted to have Adam Knight’s backing. He has some really compelling ideas on how to enable more people in Britain to get on the housing ladder.

The Liberal Democrats are now the free market, free trade, pro-business party. With the Conservatives intent on yanking us out of the Single Market and Labour lacking any economic credibility, we are the only party capable of creating opportunity in a stable economy. It is hugely significant that someone of Adam’s standing in the business community should recognise that support for the Liberal Democrats in this crucial by-election is support for British business.

Adam Knight added:

I have been shocked at some of the divisive language used at the Conservative Conference, on immigration, on business and on investment, particularly around housing. They are moving the conversation towards a hard Brexit. All of these things are negative for all of us and need to be fought.

We need to come together and unite over the things we agree on, and I see a lot of what I stand for in Liz’s campaign.

Liz has the momentum, she is the only one in a position to beat the Conservatives, that is why I am backing her.

Liz Leffman said:

It is a great boost to have Adam’s backing. We are on the same page on so many issues facing the nation today; on Brexit, the NHS, and on housing.

It is clear that this by-election is a two horse race between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to this Conservative Brexit Government.

Liz certainly seems to have established herself as the main challenger to the Conservatives. Betting odds are often a good indicator of these things. Coral has her on 8/1 with Labour at time of writing at 25/1.