Sarah Olney was elected as the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park in 2019 with a majority of 7,766. Having won a by-election, she previously served briefly as this constituency’s MP between 2016 and 2017.
The constituency of Richmond Park is found in one of the most affluent areas of South West London, and was formed out of the old Richmond and Barnes constituency. Found along the banks of the Thames where the University boat race is held every year, the seat has a very high proportion of professional and managerial workers. Once a Liberal – Conservative marginal that swung between the parties, some 71.3% of voters in this area backed Remain in the 2016 EU referendum. Turnout in this constituency in recent elections has been amongst in the country, at close to 80%.
Olney was appointed as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change in September 2020.
Born in 1977, Sarah Olney studied English Literature at King’s College, London. She worked as an accountant at Barclays, and was Finance Manager at the National Physics Laboratory, before being elected to Parliament.
She worked as Chief of Staff to Vince Cable between 2017 and 2019.
Olney campaigns vociferously against the expansion of Heathrow airport.
Sarah Olney is the Co Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Business Owners.
Email: sarah.olney.mp@parliament.uk
Website – www.saraholney.com
Twitter – @sarahjolney1