Uneasy Lib Dem MPs say Davey needs to be bolder

Significant numbers of Liberal Democrat MPs are becoming frustrated by what they view as an overly cautious approach under Ed Davey and the party's failure to spell out a national message to voters.

- Peter Walker

Some estimate that as many as half of the Lib Dems' 72-strong group of MPs feel this way. While there is no move against Davey, who led the party to its best election result in a century in 2024, MPs said this could change if there was no progress.

"Morale is low," one said. "No one is saying 'get rid of Ed'. But what they are saying is that those around him need to move with significant pace towards the development of a national story for the party to tell. We need to be a bit more serious about being the third party.

"Reform are assuming a place in the national debate, and so are the Greens. We are content to not do this. And it isn't good enough."

The party's success in 2024 was built around ultra-disciplined messaging on a small number of subjects, notably the NHS and care, and sewage in rivers. While the messaging has expanded, particularly with Davey's criticisms of Donald Trump, a number of Lib Dem MPs believe the atomisation of UK politics means more boldness is needed.

"The leadership is very good at getting into the media with some things, but talking about A&E or Trump is no substitute for having a national position," one MP said.