The Liberal Democrats are becoming increasingly confident of smashing the Conservative’s ‘Blue Wall’ in Wokingham.

Sir John Redwood has been the Conservative MP for Wokingham since 1987, a 35 year stint.

But the Liberal Democrats are becoming increasingly hopeful that they can unhorse Sir John at the next general election.

Wokingham is a target seat for the party, which is hoping that by-election victories can be repeated.

The Wokingham branch of the party recently received Richard Foord Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Honiton in Devon.

READ MORE: Sir John Redwood predicted to lose seat at next election

Mr Foord, 44, was elected at a by-election in June 2022  with the Wokingham Liberal Democrats helping out with his campaign.

To return the favour, Mr Foord met activists at a private event in Waltham st Lawrence, and spoke with councillor Clive Jones, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Wokingham.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service interviewed Mr Foord about his visit.

He said: “I came to the area to thank those supporters and activists who helped me, so you could see this as a recirpocal visit.

“The Wokingham Liberal Democrats have got a lot of momentum already. they don’t really need people like me to help them.

“They’re a very dynamic party, they’re taking significant sums in donations, so they’re already in a very good place, and it’s a pleasure to see that in action.”

READ MORE: Wokingham Liberal Democrats call for early general election

Mr Foord is from Yatton in Somerset, and had a stint at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

Reflecting on his time there, Mr Foord said: “I was training as an officer cadet in Sandhurst for just over a year, from May 2000 to April 2001.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable but challenging time, it was hard work, it was tough, it was austere, but it really does set you up for life."

Mr Foord has served in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Germany.

He added: “I used to go out in Wokingham on the rare occasions we had time off.

“I think on reflection of the area as a whole there are parallels with my part of Devon.

“I don’t think people are wedded to one party, and I think the Conservatives feel they can take places for granted.

“What a lot of people want is an independently minded MP who will champion them and their area, and the Liberal Democrats have a reputation for being community minded, and Wokingham has that in Clive as a council leader.”

READ MORE: Lib Dem deputy leader says party can ‘absolutely’ win Wokingham seat

Closing his remarks, Mr Foord said:  “The local party is in high spirits, they’re having good reactions on the doorstep and are seen as priniciple challenger in Wokingham at the Parliamentary level.

“Given the unpopularity of the Conservative government and the hard work of the Liberal Democrats in being local champions, both stands them in good stead for the next general election.”

Cllr Jones (Liberal Democrats, Hawkedon) was announced as Lib Dem candidate for Wokingham earlier this year, becoming Wokingham Borough Council leader following the 2022 Local Elections.