From Witney to Richmond Park – and then to Sleaford and North Hykeham

Wow. That's the only response that I have found so far that fully expresses our delight, surprise, joy and gratitude at the level of activity and campaign that has been launched so quickly and so effectively for the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election.

Our objective in this by-election is simple - we want to build and light as many beacons of liberal democracy across the towns and villages here in the middle of Lincolnshire. We are determined to end the way that the Tories have taken Lincolnshire for granted for years.

I am hugely honoured to have been given the opportunity to work alongside a fantastic and energised team, who are committed to delivering the best result possible. The diversity of people involved is fantastic; from the wise and experienced Ada Trethewey, Lesley Pinchbeck, Pat Coates and Tony Richardson, through to the young energy of the likes of Natasha Chapman, Aarron Smith and Darryl Smalley. And I'm delighted to be the person to welcome in new faces like Oliver Craven, Sarah Hall and Naomi Lott to name but a few - all have played a fantastic role in the campaign so far and there is lots more we plan to do.

This campaign has the capacity to change the way the Liberal Democrats are viewed across the county. That is one of the main reasons we are determined to fight a positive and optimistic campaign. This approach has already seen us build our campaign in Sleaford and North Hykeham. Now we are starting to make inroads into the rural villages and I'm delighted to report that we are getting a great reception. The campaign team are making no promises in terms of our vote, but we are building firm foundations for Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats.

My request is very simple: I need everyone (and we mean everyone except Lincolnshire) to go to Richmond Park and get Sarah Olney elected as the new MP for that area. The stunning result in Witney, followed by a win in Richmond Park would transform our prospects up and down the country and for the Sleaford and North Hykeham poll the week after on Thursday 8th December.

So go and help Sarah, as you did for Liz… and then we'll ensure that you get a warm welcome here in Lincolnshire. We have stations in the constituency at Rauceby, Sleaford, Heckington, Metheringham, Hykeham and Grantham, Lincoln and Newark are not far…

* Ross Pepper is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Sleaford and North Hykeham