Lib Dem MP Maynard's bid to oust leader Davey fails

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 16:33 · Archive

An attempt by Oxfordshire MP Charlie Maynard to remove Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has failed.

Charlie Maynard, the Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, has declined to comment after a reported attempt to unseat party leader Sir Ed Davey failed. Maynard, who won the seat from the Conservatives in 2024, stepped down as shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 9 October, a position he had held since October 2025. The Financial Times reported that Maynard asked fellow Lib Dem MPs to back a vote of no confidence in Davey.

Under Liberal Democrat rules, a leadership election can be triggered if a majority of the party's House of Commons MPs pass such a vote. Allies of Davey, who became party leader in 2020 and led the Liberal Democrats to their highest ever number of seats in the 2024 general election, moved quickly to defend him.

At a parliamentary party meeting on 13 October, no leadership ballot took place. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said after the meeting that there was 'overwhelming support for Ed in the parliamentary party' and a sense that the group needed to come together. The reports of the attempted challenge came amid some dissatisfaction within the party over stagnant poll ratings and lack of momentum.

Lib Dem MP Maynard's bid to oust leader Davey fails — Image: Oxford Mail

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How it is being reported

Oxfordshire MP silent after 'coup' against Lib Dem leader Ed Davey failsFollowing a reported coup against the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, an Oxfordshire MP has said he is not commenting on the matter.Oxford Mail · 15 Oct, 16:00
Oxfordshire MP silent after 'coup' against Lib Dem leader Ed Davey failsFollowing a reported coup against the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, an Oxfordshire MP has said he is not commenting on the matter.Oxfordshire Guardian · 15 Oct, 16:00

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

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