A significant faction within the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party is expressing growing frustration with leader Sir Ed Davey's leadership style, which they describe as overly cautious and lacking a compelling national narrative for voters.
Mounting Discontent Over 'Gruel' Strategy
While there is no active move to oust Davey, who led the party to its best election result in a century by winning 72 seats in 2024, MPs warn the situation could change without progress. Some estimate that as many as half of the Lib Dem MPs share these concerns.
"Morale is low," one MP revealed. "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." Another critic lamented, "At the moment it feels a bit like gruel."
The Search for a Coherent National Message
The party's 2024 success was built on tightly disciplined campaigning on local issues like the NHS, social care, and sewage. However, MPs now argue that the fragmented state of UK politics demands a broader, bolder vision, particularly on the economy and cost of living.
"We need a big retail offer on the economy," an MP stated. "We need to be more radical on this." Critics say that while Davey is effective at gaining media coverage for specific issues—such as A&E waiting times or criticisms of Donald Trump—this is no substitute for a defined national position.
Frustration also stems from perceived policy caution. The party recently developed a plan for film-style age ratings on social media, only for the Conservatives to announce a similar policy days earlier, stealing the spotlight.
A Tipping Point on the Horizon?
Davey's inner circle is reportedly focused on defending the 2024 gains and identifying new target seats. Some MPs fear this gradualist approach fails to match the pace of political change, where parties like Reform and the Greens are seizing national attention.
"If the day after the next election we end up with 80 MPs, it would again be the best result for a century and Ed could retire happy," an MP said. "But politics is changing fast, and with first past the post if you don’t keep up as a party you can die."
A key test will be the May elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and English councils. Poor results, combined with a sense of stagnation, could prove a tipping point for backbench patience.
Defenders of Davey's strategy point to the disastrous 2019 election, where a bold pledge to reverse Brexit won votes but yielded only 11 seats. "Ed is not willing for that to happen again," an ally said, emphasising the need to protect gains from the Conservatives and Reform.
The discontent is no secret to Davey, having been raised at recent party gatherings. "They are secure until suddenly they are not," one MP cautioned, referencing the party's history of rapid leadership changes. "And I don’t think it would take much for frustrations to bubble over."
