Lib Dem leader Ed Davey dismisses claims of party 'sleepwalking into irrelevance'
UK Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has rejected criticism at the party's Brighton conference that the Lib Dems are losing relevance under his leadership, citing record MP numbers and growing council strength.
Ed Davey, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats since 2020, has pushed back against criticism that the party is becoming irrelevant under his leadership. Speaking at the party's annual conference in Brighton, Davey responded to pointed comments from within his own party's ranks.
The sharpest criticism came from Julian Brazil, leader of Devon county council, who told the BBC the previous day that the Lib Dems were "sleepwalking into irrelevance" with Davey in charge.
Davey's response
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Davey said the party had grown rapidly under his leadership, achieving a record number of MPs and now running more councils across the country than the Conservatives. He noted that with a bigger party comes the reality that not everyone can be pleased all the time.
Appearing on Sky News, Davey was more direct, pointing out that the Liberal Democrats now hold six MP seats in Devon — a feat not achieved since the 1920s. He said the party has a large number of councillors across Devon and is leading the way there, adding that a similar picture could be found across the rest of the country. Davey also noted he knows Brazil personally and that the two have rarely agreed.
Conference context
The Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton continues today, with the main address expected from home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson. Elsewhere in UK politics, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is visiting southern England, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is unveiling the party's new Welsh leader, and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is departing for New York to attend the UN General Assembly and meet US President Donald Trump.
