Lib Dems Target More Than 72 Seats as Davey Casts Party as Firewall Against Reform
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 19
Lib Dems Target More Than 72 Seats as Davey Casts Party as Firewall Against Reform
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 19
Summary
Ed Davey opened the Liberal Democrats' Brighton conference by saying the party has a “moral responsibility” to stop Reform and is preparing to beat its 2024 record of 72 MPs.
A manifesto working group is already in place for a possible early election, with Davey arguing Lib Dems can both defend seats Farage needs for No 10 and take more from the Conservatives.
Davey warned Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage could form an “unholy alliance” that would turn Britain into a “Trump satellite state,” while also attacking Labour for lacking a growth plan.
The harder line comes as Davey faces internal criticism over relevance and tone: polling found 43% of respondents were unclear what the party stands for, and just over half described it as weak.