Witney Lib Dem MP resigns over attempted bid to oust Ed Davey

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:14 · Archive

Charlie Maynard, the Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, has resigned from the shadow cabinet after reportedly asking colleagues to support a vote of no confidence in party leader Ed Davey.

Charlie Maynard, the Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, has resigned as shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury on Friday. The Financial Times reports that he has asked fellow Liberal Democrat MPs to back a vote of no confidence in Sir Ed Davey, following growing concerns about the party's lack of momentum.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper told the Financial Times that the 'vast majority' of the party's MPs wanted Sir Ed Davey as leader and were angry about the challenge. Maynard declined to comment when approached for a response.

Maynard had held the Treasury role since October 2025. He won the Witney seat in the 2024 general election, taking it from the Conservatives. Under Liberal Democrat rules, a leadership election can be triggered if the majority of the party's Commons MPs pass a vote of no confidence in the present leader. Sir Ed Davey has led the party since 2020 and took it to its largest number of MPs at the 2024 general election.

How it is being reported

• Oxfordshire Lib Dem MP quits front bench amid rumours of bid to oust Ed DaveyAn Oxfordshire MP has resigned from his role in the treasury amid rumours of an attempted vote of no confidence in party-leader Ed Davey.Oxford Mail · 9 Oct, 17:18
• Oxfordshire Lib Dem MP quits front bench amid rumours of bid to oust Ed DaveyAn Oxfordshire MP has resigned from his role in the treasury amid rumours of an attempted vote of no confidence in party-leader Ed Davey.Oxfordshire Guardian · 9 Oct, 17:18

In this story: Charlie Maynard · Ed Davey · Daisy Cooper · Liberal Democrats · Witney

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem