Ed Davey defends Lib Dem record amid leadership questions

Summarised from 6 outlets · 10 reports · Updated 23 Sept, 07:44 · Archive

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has faced criticism from a party councillor over the party's direction and ambition.

The head of Devon County Council, Julian Brazil, said the Liberal Democrats were 'lacking ambition' and 'lacking courage' at the party conference. Sir Ed Davey responded by pointing to the party's recent growth, including a record number of MPs and councillors. Some polling suggests the Lib Dems are struggling to maintain political presence despite their 2024 general election gains.

How it is being reported

• Ed Davey sets eyes on Tory seats and coalition at Lib Dem party conferenceThe former minister Ed Davey arrived at the coast facing warnings from one councillor his party was 'sleepwalking into oblivion', and questions over his leadershipThe Mirror · 23 Sept, 07:24
• It’s easy to ignore the Lib Dems, but they could soon hold the balance of power | Rafael BehrEd Davey’s strategy is meant to build a ‘firewall’ of MPs to prevent Reform UK entering government. The stakes are high if he gets it wrong No politician craves obscurity, but it is better to be unknown than despised. That is consolation for Liberal Democrats, gathered in Brighton for their annual conference, fretting about Ed Davey’s low profile and wondering whether a more prominent leader would hoist their flagging poll ratings. Renewal by decapitation is a concept that has succeeded twice this parliament for other parties. Labour’s fortunes were transformed when Andy Burnham entered No…The Guardian · 23 Sept, 06:00
• QUENTIN LETTS: Sir Ed was in no mood for giggles. He narrowed his eyes like a border collie in a pick-upGeopolitical analysts had a choice - watch Donald Trump address the United Nations; or feel the throb of power as Sir Edward Davey gave his leader's speech to the Lib Dem conference in Brighton.Daily Mail · 22 Sept, 23:08
• Lib Dems leave conference buoyed by Davey's messageConcerns over Sir Ed Davey's leadership were dampened by pledges at conference and his performance.BBC News · 22 Sept, 20:33
• The Guardian view on the Lib Dems: Ed Davey wants Tory voters without losing the left | EditorialThe party leader offers social liberalism and lower taxes, hoping opposition to Reform UK will hold together voters with competing economic interests Sir Ed Davey’s speech at the Liberal Democrat party conference was a calculated appeal to voters who recoil from a rightwing bloc associated with Brexit, nationalism and reactionary politics. That’s not a bad place to start. But he wants this message not to be lost in the headlines about his party’s £17bn tax giveaway aimed at disillusioned Conservative voters. To walk that line, his address sought to present Reform UK’s politics as an…The Guardian · 22 Sept, 18:51
• Ed Davey is facing calls to quit as Lib Dem leader – here’s what the party’s voters thinkDespite securing a record haul of MPs in the 2024 general election polling suggests the Liberal Democrats are failing to maintain a strong presence in British politicsThe Independent · 22 Sept, 10:47
• Is it time for Ed Davey to quit as Lib Dem leader to make the party ‘relevant’ again?Despite securing a record haul of MPs in the 2024 general election polling suggests the Liberal Democrats are failing to maintain a strong presence in British politicsThe Independent · 21 Sept, 17:40
• I've got no ceiling on Lib Dem ambitions, says leader Ed DaveyThe Lib Dem leader also backed the controversial Jackdaw gas field, which the government is expected to approve.BBC News · 21 Sept, 16:59
• WATCH: Ed Davey denies Lib Dems are 'sleepwalking into irrelevance' in tense GB News clashSir Ed Davey has refuted comments made by a Liberal Democrat councillor, who said the party is "lacking ambition" and "lacking courage". The comments were made by leader of Devon County Council, Julian Brazil during the Lib Dem conference. Speaking to GB News, Sir Ed said: "Well, when the party has grown as fast and as well as it has in recent years, with our record number of MPs and our huge number of councillors, you are not going to please everyone all the time and it is interesting. "Those comments are from the Devon councillor. We've now got more MPs in Devon than we've had since the…GB News · 21 Sept, 13:22
• QUENTIN LETTS: Have even the Lib Dems finally twigged Sir Ed is a bit of a fool?The head of Devon County Council gave his opinion of party leader Sir Ed Davey - and it was not prettyDaily Mail · 21 Sept, 13:15

In this story: Sir Ed Davey · Julian Brazil · Liberal Democrats · Devon County Council · Brighton · Devon

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