How can Lib Dems leapfrog Tories and form opposition?

Plastered around the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference are posters of Sir Ed Davey, flanked by party activists, with a banner reminding attendees they secured “the most Lib Dem MPs ever”.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Jet skiing into Brighton Marina to open the annual jamboree on Saturday, party leader Sir Ed was clearly still enjoying the postgeneral election high. But with 2025’s local elections on the horizon, and an expected 2029 national contest, work is well underway in Lib Dem HQ to figure out how the party can add to its 72 MPs.

The Independent looks at how the party can protect its historic 2024 gains, and whether it is possible for Sir Ed to add to his growing back benches. The Lib Dems have 49 fewer MPs than the Tories but are aiming to leapfrog them at the next election and become the official opposition.

To do so, a key part of the party’s strategy is to paint itself as a more effective opposition to Sir Keir Starmer’s government than the Conservatives. Opening the party’s conference, chief whip Wendy Chamberlain promised to do opposition differently and work “constructively” with Labour.