A year in, Lib Dem voters have no idea why they bothered

Good campaign, poor follow-up...Sir Ed Davey has barely caused a ripple this year

- Duncan Barkes

HERE is no doubt that Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, is a well-meaning chap but, since gaining a record 72 MPs in the General Election, the question remains: what is the point of his party?

Is it simply a depositary for hacked-off voters who wish to punish Labour and the Conservatives, or is it shaping up to be a force with a clear and defined political purpose? Given the last year or so, it feels like Sir Ed and his MPs are stuck in a rut.

Credit should be given for an electoral campaign that saw Ed happily act the goat and take part in stunts to achieve cut-through and coverage in the UK media. From launching his campaign at Thorpe Park Resort and taking a turn on the horrific “Rush” ride to bungee jumping and paddleboarding in Lake Windermere, he and his advisers clearly knew that such antics and the associated pictures would be used in the media and consequently boost his profile.

Away from the slapstick, his party election broadcast showing life as a carer for both his disabled son now and terminally ill mother when he was a child was rightly praised for showing the human side of politics.

The Liberal Democrats ran a good campaign but also clearly benefited from the last few years of chaos under the Conservative Government.