Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told delegates in Bournemouth that the party is reclaiming British values and positioning itself as a party of change.
Sir Ed arrived at the party’s conference at the head of a marching band and later spoke to the Local Democracy Service about the party’s future direction. He said voters would be attracted by “the traditional British approach that Liberal Democrats represent” and that the party plans to build on its general election gains last July, when it took 60 seats from the Conservatives.
He said many voters were looking beyond Labour and the Conservatives, describing some Labour supporters as “angry and upset” at the Starmer government and highlighting concerns from pensioners, small businesses, farmers and disabled people. He added that some former Conservative voters also felt politically homeless.
Sir Ed said people looking for an alternative saw in the Liberal Democrats “respect for the rule of law, tolerance, openness” and a party committed to economic growth, investment in defence and national security.
He pointed to the Liberal Democrats’ by-election win in Talbot and Branksome Wood, where the party beat Reform. He said this showed they could compete with all parties, adding that “the only party who keeps beating Reform in local elections is the Liberal Democrats.”
Sir Ed also criticised Nigel Farage, saying his stance on free speech went against what he called a core British value.
Who are we? We're building a new independent free news source for BCP and east Dorset, with fewer ads, less clutter, and no filler articles. And we'd love your support. Please help us grow locally by letting your friends know about us on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online and on DAB for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.
Register below for free regular updates via email.