love0c
I think it is because people could not bring themselves to vote for the Cons again. But also because they could not bring themselves to vote for Lab either. We desperately need another new party. The lot we have all need burying.
It's called 'tactical voting'. You vote for the 'progressive' (i.e centre - centre leftish- left) candidate most likely to win the seat. Which was the Lib Dems in this case. Even if the Labour party doesn't want to join a 'progressive alliance', it seems that its voters do.
It is to be hoped that the Lib Des and Greens return the compliment at Batley & Spen.
I'm delighted by this result, BTW.