Given his slip-sliding antics on a paddleboard in July 2024, you might be forgiven for expecting another gimmicky stunt from Sir Ed Davey’s Leader’s Speech. But on Sunday, he came to close out the conference on a serious note.
With an unpopular Labour government, the Tories struggling to land their blows, and Reform irritating as many people as they entice, the Liberal Democrats have good reason to be optimistic approaching this year’s local elections. Here are the key points from their leader’s speech.
Trump is a danger, and Labour are cosying up
“We meet at a time of great peril, for our continent and for our country,” Davey began. “Because Donald Trump is not only betraying Ukraine, it’s not only their sovereignty he’s selling out. It’s our security, the security of Europe, the security of our United Kingdom. And that is unforgivable. Putin might be able to fool Donald Trump… but we know better.”
Davey complimented the Prime Minister’s approach to Trump. “I was proud that the PM brought Canada and the EU together here in the United Kingdom, a day after those appalling scenes of Trump and Vance ambushing President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.” He called for support to the country to be funded by frozen Russian assets in the UK and across the G7.
Having agreed yesterday to raise defence spending to 2.5% by 2030, Davey promised to engage the other parties in cross-party talks to take that to 3%. He said: “For the first time in my life, [there is] a President of the United States willing not merely to turn a blind eye to Putin’s aggression, but actually to praise him.” He continued: “You have to stand up, stand tough, stand together with our friends, make clear that an attack on one is an attack on all.”
Take the fight to Reform
Davey then turned to Nigel Farage, calling him “one lone holdout” who “splits his time between GB News, Mar-a-Lago and, weirdly, selling nappies on social media”, as covered by the Mirror.
“Farage was asked which world leader he most admires. His answer: Vladimir Putin… A tyrant responsible for the brutal suppression of Russia’s own people and countless atrocities in Ukraine… This from a man who thinks he can be our Prime Minister? Well, not on our watch!”
He then connected Farage to Trump. “He wants to do to Britain what Trump is doing to America … Limiting your access to health care and making you pay more for it.
“He has been very clear throughout his long political career that he doesn’t believe in the fundamental NHS principle of universal healthcare, free at the point of use. He’s called for an American-style, insurance-based model.
“Isn’t it striking that Farage has nothing to say about the challenges facing our NHS? Nothing to say about how to make sure people can actually see a doctor or a dentist when they need one? Nothing to say about ambulance delays, or crumbling hospitals? Nothing to say about fixing social care… and I mean literally nothing. To say Farage has never uttered the word ‘care’ once in Parliament.”
The Tories aren’t helping… or are they?
Kemi Badenoch has had a tough start to the Tory leadership. Unconvincing at Prime Ministers’ Questions, she commented on a podcast: “A typical Liberal Democrat will be somebody who is good at fixing their church roof.”
Of course, this was a gift to the Liberal Democrats. “I think she meant it as an insult. But I’ll happily wear it as a badge of honour. Because she’s right. Liberal Democrats fix things.
“But isn’t it telling that… sneering attitude of the leader of the Conservatives… that says fixing church roofs is somehow beneath politics altogether? That what happens in our communities is trivial and insignificant, compared to debating the true meaning of conservatism on Twitter?”
He said that the Conservatives had “abandoned our communities” and “left decent, traditional Conservatives without a political home.
“That’s why so many lifelong Conservatives have turned to the Liberal Democrats. It’s why people rightly kicked them out of government last July and why we must kick them out of our councils in May too.”
Davey’s message was clear. The Conservatives were extremely successful in 2021, riding high on the vaccine rollout. They have a lot to lose this time around. Reform might be the main beneficiaries, but who is to say that the Liberal Democrats can’t pinch some seats off them?
Stand with Europe to stop Farage, then Trump and Musk
“It’s not easy, our way of doing politics. Liberal Democrat MPs certainly have to spend a lot more time in our constituencies than Nigel Farage spends in Clacton. Although it’s a bit of a low bar.”
Europe is walking a bit of a tightrope right now, Sir Keir Starmer most of all, between trying to keep the US onside and appeasing Europe. Saying that “opportunity … feels further and further out of reach for too many young people”, Sir Ed wanted to work with the EU.
“We are the only party that has consistently opposed the Conservatives’ damaging Brexit deal from the start. The only party arguing for a new deal with the EU, with a customs union at its heart, putting us on a path back to the Single Market. The only party still championing international aid … and we’re the only party in British politics speaking up in defiance of Donald Trump. This is a man who stands on the White House lawn flogging Teslas for Elon Musk like a particularly bad used car salesman.”
Commenting on rumours that Labour intended to change the Digital Services Tax to engage business, he said “Appeasement doesn’t work with bullies, and it doesn’t work with Trump … Let me say this to Elon Musk – we will make out-of-control social media giants like you pay more so we can defend our children and young people from the harm you’re causing.
“Just like the Prime Minister’s rightly done on Putin’s murderous war, and as others have done we should hit back with tariffs of our own, starting with those Teslas Trump is so desperate to sell… Let’s put ourselves in the strongest possible position by rebuilding our trade with Europe. Strengthening British businesses, and showing Trump we have other options.
“For the future of our democracy. For the good of our communities. For the love of our country, let’s go to battle!”
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron spoke exclusively to York Vision, saying that “hopefully we’re ready for York” in 2027, as Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young walked past us, visibly optimistic. The Liberal Democrats are a close second to Labour in the City of York Council. “Storm clouds are gathering but they don’t need to take over,” he told me, alluding to Reform. “ [Students] are the bright people who are the future of the world. We can build a student movement.”
The Liberal Democrats’ Justice Spokesperson, Josh Babarinde, said to York Vision: “We have been campaigning for a youth mobility scheme, restoring the study and work opportunities in Europe that previous generations had, and were taken away by the Tories’ terrible Brexit deal.”
The Liberal Democrats feel like the local elections in May might be a four-way fight, with Labour having little to lose and the Conservatives still failing to recover their damaged brand. Reform remains predicted to win the most councillors after this round of elections, regardless of the current leadership spat: Sir Ed Davey walking off to the song “High Hopes” might symbolise what they need most.