For many Lib Dems, this leadership election felt like an existential choice. The party is now on its fourth leader in almost as many years, while Brexit has left the party a polarising – and increasingly irrelevant – force in British politics. Sir Ed Davey made clear that he knows his party is facing serious problems during his livestreamed acceptance speech. The MP for Surbiton explained: ‘Our party has lost touch with too many voters.’
Davey has been acting leader since Jo Swinson lost her seat at the 2019 general election – and he was widely seen as the favourite during the contest. In the event, he won twice as many votes as the more radical Layla Moran. Seen by many in the party as a safe, if dull, pair of hands, the question is whether he can actually restore the Lib Dems’ electoral fortunes. A recent YouGov poll puts the party on just 6 per cent; half of what the Lib Dems got at their dismal 2019 election outing.
‘The Lib Dems biggest hope is that forces outside their control will restore their fortunes’
Part of this process of regaining voters’ trust may be a softening of the party’s Brexit position.
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