Lembit Opik considers political return

Former Montgomery MP Lembit Opik is considering a sensational return to politics by taking on the man who defeated him in the General Election. Former Montgomery MP Lembit Opik is considering a sensational return to politics by taking on the man who defeated him in the General Election. Mr Opik lost his seat in one of the surprise results of May 6 to the Conservative Party's Glyn Davies. However, today Mr Opik said he remained the candidate for Montgomeryshire and had not ruled out an attempt to reclaim the seat. In his first major interview since the General Election, he said he was currently weighing up a number of options but wanted to remain active in politics. Mr Opik said: "I'm still the candidate for Montgomeryshire so, for instance, if there was a snap election I would fight it for the Liberal Democrats. "It's up to my party whether they would want me to remain the candidate. But I wouldn't rule it out. My home is in Newtown and I have a flat in London. I remain committed to the area and I'm looking at my present situation as an enforced career break." Mr Opik said he hoped his successor proved to be a worthy champion for people in Mid Wales. "My biggest regret is that many major and minor projects in Montgomeryshire will now stall because I no longer have the access to get them done. That's the saddest thing" he said. Since leaving the House of Commons, Mr Opik has appeared as a stand-up comedian in a London comedy club and performed at the Glastonbury festival. However, he said he could not envisage a future that did not involve social campaigning and a role in politics. Read more in today's Shropshire Star