'It'll be game, set and match in blue corner of London'

Sir Ed Davey is brimming with confidence for his Lib-Dems in capital

- Nicholas Cecil

SIR ED DAVEY has appealed to voters in London and its commuter belt to “tear down the Blue Wall” as he set his sights on exceeding expectations for his party on July 4.

In an exclusive interview with the Standard, the Liberal Democrat leader told how he was aiming for a “game, set and match” triple win in south-west London as his party targets Wimbledon, Sutton and Cheam and Carshalton and Wallington. He also hinted that he believes the Lib-Dems could pull off some surprises on election night in the London area.

His party has a recent history of great election hopes evaporating as the counts came in in 2015, 2017 and 2019 showing they suffered losses or failed to gain many seats.

Travelling on the train from Waterloo to Wimbledon, Sir Ed acknowledged these flops but is still optimistic as his party targets seats in the capital and Home Counties, many on South Western Railway routes. “London commuters need to tear down the Blue Wall in southwest London and in all the commuter belt, the Home Counties, from Hertfordshire to Surrey, to Kent to Sussex,” he said. “Liberal Democrats are the ones who can beat the Conservatives in these areas.” He is quick to throw in the two words “Liz Truss” which polling expert Sir John Curtice says sow doubts in voters’ minds about whether or not they should trust the Tories on the economy.