The Liberal Democrats under Ed Davey

[PGAT]

Lib Dems are at 16% in today's Yougov poll which is noteworthy if accurate but it could just be an outlier.

Another poll today by Moreincommon puts them at 16%

 

[FinsburyPark]

Not too surprising - lots of people are likely to be disillusioned with Labour, have no reason to give the Tories another chance, but aren't prepared to support Farage. So I suggest this is more about disgust with the alternative than any great love for the LibDems.

Which I hope the Lib Dems can capitalise on

 

[edwin_m]

Which I hope the Lib Dems can capitalise on

Yes, doing something would be a start.

 

[317 forever]

I'd put money on Daisy Cooper being the next leader, think Ed will stand down within 2 years of the election, Cooper is getting a lot of airtime/profile (not much by Reform's standards but a lot for the LD's) obviously being deputy leader gives her a kick start, but before the election many were unknown/invisible to the public; maybe with the exception of Moran. Think I can guarantee that she won't be windsurfing, but then again...!

I've seen Christine Jardine, LibDem MP for Edinburgh West, on tv quite often. Mind you, she comes across more as a commentator who happens to be an MP rather than someone seeking party leadership or government as a career.

 

[Howardh]

After a recent surge in the polls, a bit of a dip this weekend, but we are yet to see a poll after the White House fiasco. Starmer has acted like a proper statesman, surely he will benefit in the polls and take back some of those deserting to the LDs?

 

[Bald Rick]

I've seen Christine Jardine, LibDem MP for Edinburgh West, on tv quite often. Mind you, she comes across more as a commentator who happens to be an MP rather than someone seeking party leadership or government as a career.

I saw Daisy Cooper in Marks & Spencer this afternoon !

 

[Howardh]

I saw Daisy Cooper in Marks & Spencer this afternoon !

I've no chance of seeing her then, as a Lidl shopper!

 

[Bald Rick]

I've no chance of seeing her then, as a Lidl shopper!

You certainly won’t see her in Lidl in St Albans. Because there isn’t one!

 

[brad465]

I saw Daisy Cooper in Marks & Spencer this afternoon !

The only MP I've seen off the cuff was Michael Fallon in 2019, when he boarded a train at Otford that I happened to be on (he was MP for Sevenoaks at the time), though I didn't bother him. Otherwise I've only seen MPs at election counts and a pub surgery in Taunton (yes Gideon Amos did this recently).

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

After a recent surge in the polls, a bit of a dip this weekend, but we are yet to see a poll after the White House fiasco. Starmer has acted like a proper statesman, surely he will benefit in the polls and take back some of those deserting to the LDs?

and Reform will lose ground out of this debacle

 

[AlterEgo]

I saw Daisy Cooper in Marks & Spencer this afternoon !

Rare example of a decent politician. Wish she was my MP.

 

[Bald Rick]

Rare example of a decent politician. Wish she was my MP.

Move to St Albans and she will be!

 

[ChrisC]

Rare example of a decent politician. Wish she was my MP.

I’ve certainly been very impressed with Daisy Cooper whenever she has been on BBC Question Time.

 

[317 forever]

I saw Daisy Cooper in Marks & Spencer this afternoon !

A claim to fame of sorts. She does seem a remarkably decent MP to be fair.

 

[Bald Rick]

A claim to fame of sorts. She does seem a remarkably decent MP to be fair.

To be fair, I see her quite a lot

 

[ainsworth74]

A request has been made by @KevinBrum12 to reopen the thread.

 

[KevinBrum12]

Yes it is Liberal Democrat conference week and their annual chance to shine in the sun. They should be buoyant, given their results in the Local Elections earlier this year.

However, it looks like Davey is getting more serious. Firstly, dropping the Liberal Democrat opposition to state issued ID cards. Perhaps a position showing the Lib Dems are taking immigration seriously.

Ed Davey suggests Lib Dems no longer staunchly against introducing ID cards SOURCE: The Independent
Sir Ed Davey has suggested he is open to the idea of digital ID cards, if they do not curb freedoms.

The Liberal Democrats historically opposed the idea of introducing state-sanctioned identity cards when it was suggested by Tony Blair’s government.

As he took part in a Q&A on the main stage at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, the party leader suggested he was open to changing his mind on the issue.
nt
Sir Ed Davey has suggested he is open to the idea of digital ID cards, if they do not curb freedoms.

The Liberal Democrats historically opposed the idea of introducing state-sanctioned identity cards when it was suggested by Tony Blair’s government.

As he took part in a Q&A on the main stage at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, the party leader suggested he was open to changing his mind on the issue.

Then, adopting the "Stop the Boats" tagline....which worked really well for the Conservatives and Labour (so why?)

Lib Dems toughen up immigration rhetoric as Sir Ed Davey pledges to 'stop the boats SOURCE: Sky Newshttps://news.sky.com/story/lib-dems...r-ed-davey-pledges-to-stop-the-boats-13433984
Sir Ed Davey has pledged to "stop the boats" as the Liberal Democrats toughen up their rhetoric on immigration.

The party leader told Sky News he and his MPs will be talking about immigration during his party's conference, which starts today, as it is a "big policy which people are concerned about".

More positive is a new Lib Dem rail policy calling for more investment

https://www.libdems.org.uk/news/art...-building-a-rail-network-for-the-21st-century SOURCE: Lib Dems
Trains aren’t working properly for the people who rely on them.
Fare rises have pushed costs up by nearly £1,100 a year in some areas since 2019, while services have become less reliable and ticketing remains too complicated.

Liberal Democrats want to put passengers first. Rail should be affordable, reliable, and simple to use so that it can connect communities, support jobs and drive economic growth.

 

[PGAT]

Then, adopting the "Stop the Boats" tagline....which worked really well for the Conservatives and Labour (so why?)

I think it makes sense. Lib Dems haven't been in power and so have the luxury of not having to be held accountable, which is ultimately how it didn't work out for Labour and the Tories. They also get much more publicity than they otherwise would have gotten since immigration is seemingly the only issue Joe public cares about nowadays.

 

[Acfb]

It's interesting how the political system has completely flipped on its head and the Lib Dems seem now to have the most stable support base at the Westminster level while Labour and especially the Conservatives melt down in the face of the Reform surge.

Yes it is Liberal Democrat conference week and their annual chance to shine in the sun. They should be buoyant, given their results in the Local Elections earlier this year.

However, it looks like Davey is getting more serious. Firstly, dropping the Liberal Democrat opposition to state issued ID cards. Perhaps a position showing the Lib Dems are taking immigration seriously.

Ed Davey suggests Lib Dems no longer staunchly against introducing ID cards

Then, adopting the "Stop the Boats" tagline....which worked really well for the Conservatives and Labour (so why?)

Lib Dems toughen up immigration rhetoric as Sir Ed Davey
pledges to 'stop the boats'

More positive is a new Lib Dem rail policy calling for more investment

https://www.libdems.org.uk/news/art...-building-a-rail-network-for-the-21st-century

Makes sense as although they are a lot more resistant to Reform than Labour or the Tories they could still see a bit of erosion to Reform particularly in the Southwest although I think they are unlikely to lose many seats to Reform apart from a few like Newton Abbott.

 

[GusB]

I've just heard on the radio that Menzies Campbell, former leader of the Lib-Dems, has died.

Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell dies aged 84

Sir Menzies led the Liberal Democrats from 2006 to 2007 and was the MP for North East Fife at Westminster for 28 years.

www.bbc.co.uk

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has died at the age of 84.

Sir Menzies, or Ming as he was widely known, led the Liberal Democrats from 2006 to 2007 and was the MP for North East Fife at Westminster for 28 years.

In his first career as a sprinter, he held the UK 100m record from 1967 to 1974 and ran in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics - being dubbed The Flying Scotsman.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey described Sir Menzies as "a dedicated public servant and a true Liberal giant".

 

[317 forever]

It's interesting how the political system has completely flipped on its head and the Lib Dems seem now to have the most stable support base at the Westminster level while Labour and especially the Conservatives melt down in the face of the Reform surge.


Makes sense as although they are a lot more resistant to Reform than Labour or the Tories they could still see a bit of erosion to Reform particularly in the Southwest although I think they are unlikely to lose many seats to Reform apart from a few like Newton Abbott.

Even there, it is more likely that such losses would be through Reform gaining votes off both Labour and the Tories simultaneously, rather than from the LibDems as such.