Ed Davey’s leadership of the Liberal Democrats has been given something of a reprieve. Some of his parliamentary colleagues have rallied around him, offering protection at a time when questions about his leadership and the party’s direction have become increasingly difficult to ignore.
But protection is not the same as vindication. And a second chance must not become an excuse for more of the same.
The Liberal Democrats cannot afford another period of drift and dither. We need leadership. We need vision. Above all, we need to know what our party is actually for.
I’ve argued before that our problem isn’t a shortage of decent, hardworking parliamentarians or committed activists. Far from it. We have both in abundance. What we lack is a compelling, coherent liberal vision that tells the country not simply what we oppose, but what we would do differently.
That responsibility ultimately rests with the leader.
Davey has an opportunity to change course. I sincerely hope he takes it, because the country desperately needs a confident, radical liberal voice.
And that brings me to Andy Burnham’s Labour government. There are things this government is saying which liberals have championed for years. On social care, on political reform, on rebuilding public services and creating a fairer society, there ought to be considerable common ground.
When Labour advances ideas that reflect longstanding liberal principles, our response should not be to throw our toys out of the pram because somebody else has embraced them. It should be to welcome those commitments, claim our rightful share of the intellectual argument and then hold the government’s feet firmly to the fire to ensure they are delivered.
That is what effective opposition looks like. It doesn’t mean giving Burnham a free pass. It certainly doesn’t mean becoming an appendage of the Labour Party. Indeed, I’ve repeatedly warned about the dangers of allowing the Liberal Democrats to become indistinguishable from Labour.
Our liberal identity matters enormously. But there is a world of difference between maintaining that identity and indulging in petulant interviews when the Prime Minister says something with which we ought broadly to agree.
Take electoral reform. Liberals have fought for a fair voting system for generations. If Burnham is serious about changing our broken politics, Davey should be demanding a timetable, not merely offering applause. The same applies to social care. Warm words are welcome, but what matters is whether people’s lives actually improve.
Our job is to be constructive where we can, uncompromising where we must and unmistakably liberal throughout.
Those MPs who have protected Davey’s leadership have, in effect, bought him time. They have also placed a responsibility upon him and he must now demonstrate that their confidence is justified.
The Liberal Democrats deserve better than simply muddling through. So does the country.
The second chance has been given. Now let’s see the leadership, the vision and the change.
Warm Words on Europe Are Welcome. Now Burnham Must Deliver
Andy Burnham’s increasingly positive language about Britain’s relationship with Europe is enormously welcome. His acknowledgement that Brexit has done more harm than good, and his willingness to consider everything from a Customs Union to full EU membership, represents a significant departure from his predecessor’s timid approach.
But warm words alone won’t rebuild our relationship with our European neighbours. We need action.
That means a clear timetable for negotiations, removing unnecessary barriers to trade, restoring closer economic cooperation and putting Britain firmly back at the heart of Europe. The forthcoming UK-EU summit must deliver meaningful progress, not another collection of diplomatic platitudes.
As Liberal Democrats, we should welcome Burnham’s change of direction while demanding that he goes further and faster.
For me, the ultimate destination remains clear: Britain rejoining the European Union.
The Prime Minister has opened an important door. Now he must demonstrate the courage to walk through it.
Let’s Raise a Glass to Our Local Pubs!
Yesterday I enjoyed a wonderful Sunday roast at my local pub. A reminder that pubs aren’t just places to eat and drink; they’re vital community assets, bringing people together and tackling loneliness.
With too many facing closure, we must do everything possible to protect these precious community institutions.
* Mathew Hulbert is a former Councillor, is a regular commentator on TV and Radio, and is Co-Host of the Political Frenemies podcast.
Follow @libdemvoice.org on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Caroline Voaden on what Shovegate tells us about Nigel Farage
The historic link of the monarchy to the slave trade
Cllr Kieran Dams, previously with Greens, joins Lib Dems
Oh no, it can't be Christmas already.
David Evans
Jonathan Parry
Mick Taylor
expats
15 Comments
He’s had seven years to prove that he can provide, “a confident, radical liberal voice”, Mr Hulbert. He’s well past the introductory probationary phase.
“Davey should be demanding a timetable, not merely offering applause. ”
Sometimes I despair.
For example, on 13th July there was a press release from the leadership which ended with the following:
It ended like this:
“…do it now. Don’t wait until it is too late. Don’t wait until after the next election – when you might be powerless to do anything about it.”
Here’s a link to the full statement: https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/davey-speech-if-burnham-is-serious-about-changing-the-way-we-do-politics-my-door-is-open
But who would you replace Ed Davey with? The most obvious candidate, Christine Jardine, is stepping down at the next GE. I don’t think there’s been hardly any support on this site of how she has been treated by the party echelons.
And I think he has been right on raising the personal allowance, enabling the less well off to keep more of their earning and the triple lock to offset pensioner poverty. But there are some very wealthy upper middle class people on this site by the looks of things and I am not one of them.
@ Jason Conner
“But there are some very wealthy upper middle class people on this site by the looks of things and I am not one of them. ”
Are you suggesting only people just like you can be Liberal Democrats? Because if you are, that’s not a great way of building a coalition of voters.
And besides, there are two parties for those who wish to exclude people based on their wealth/class already – Tory and Labour.
@ Jason Connor I really don’t know what’s going on in the posh western bit of Edinburgh, Jason (except my dentist hangs out there – and he charges an arm and a leg), but your claim that Christine Jardine is the most obvious candidate to replace Sir Edward shows a high level of imagination on your part.
Just in passing, I’m not super rich, I drive a six year old car, my Granddad was a Durham miner who was on strike for eight months back in 1926 when the (Liberal Lord) coal owner tried to cut his pay by 30% – and my Mum left school at 14 to be a domestic cook for a West Yorkshire Liberal textile millionaire. Granddad was very bright, he left school at twelve but he bought a book on geology with his first wage from the colliery.
As for Tristan and “there are two parties for those who wish to exclude people based on their wealth/class already – Tory and Labour”, the less said the better. I bet Mandy has a few bob stacked away.
The Labour Party has been remarkably unsuccessful at excluding the middle class. They have the second most middle class membership of any major party (The Greens are first).
Interesting and thoughtful article in the Guardian online, I agree now is not the time the only beneficiaries will be the Tories and Labour but Ed does need to up his game. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/12/the-guardian-view-on-the-liberal-democrats-now-is-not-the-time-to-change-leader
We’ll see if there’s a challenge but it’s clear MPs and members are frustrated with the lack of vision and failure to grow as a party under Ed and Mike Dixon. The country needs us to be on top of our game work now and we have not been with no clear plan to do so. If Ed can’t deliver he’s not the man for the job.
From David Sparrow’s posting:
“I agree now is not the time the only beneficiaries will be the Tories and Labour”
I’ll stick with the Guardian’s viewpoint in
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/12/the-guardian-view-on-the-liberal-democrats-now-is-not-the-time-to-change-leader
Thanks Ed for your leadership of our party, but it’s time for you to retire.
Let’s analyse that Guardian leader:
“The Tory economic pitch (tax cutting) is … a clear bid to win back affluent southern voters. …. In the face of such an offensive, Sir Ed’s £17bn tax giveaway looks like a pre-emptive strike aimed at disillusioned Tory voters.”
So, in bankrupt Britain, Sir Ed has joined the Right in their new article of faith – The magic money tree.
“Although Mrs Badenoch denies it, the Tories and Reform could form a “marriage of convenience” coalition to run the country after the next election.”
Very true.
“The Lib Dems must help to keep the right out of Downing Street. Sir Ed’s critics risk handing the Tories and Reform the keys to No 10 by chasing headlines rather than seats.”
Er, how is that supposed to work? Is the Guardian really hoping that Davey will hoover up pink Tory votes, and nevertheless help Burnham retain power at the next election?
Or will Davey instead jump at the opportunity to bring back a “magic money tree” Coalition with Badenoch’s Tories? Perhaps using the excuse that he has kept out Farage?
What if that Coalition can only govern with Farage’s blessing?
Before changing the driver, the Lib Dems need to decide where they want to drive to.
Wealthy in the sense that they want to get rid of the triple lock and don’t seem to support raising the personal allowance by the looks of things. Policies which would not really affect them but would help many on lower incomes and poorer pensioners. As for Edinburgh West it has its less affluent bits so the comment about Christine Jardine is a misnomer.
I would like to see more MPs from underrepresented groups, likewise party members on this site and class plays a huge part in that. I still find it quite hypocritical that lib Dems 4 change were accused of treason for seeking to replace Nick Clegg who did far more significant damage to the party than Ed Davey has ever done as leader. As a social liberal I don’t support calls for him to go. No one on this thread has named an obvious successor. It would be far better to change his advisers and improve the party’s national image. Latest yougov poll puts the Greens on 11% and Lib Dems on 12%
@David Allan
I don’t understand why you are misrepresenting David position on raising the level of personal allowances by saying they are paid for by the magic money tree.
If you were in the hall at conference you will know that Davey clearly said that they were to be paid for by the growth generated form joining the single market and customs union.
And if you don’t think joining the SM and CU will produce growth you are undermining one of the strongest reasons for the UK becoming part of these institutions and indeed joining the EU again.
So you are making the Reform/Tory case for them.
“And if you don’t think joining the SM and CU will produce growth you are undermining one of the strongest reasons for the UK becoming part of these institutions and indeed joining the EU again.”
You could easily believe as I do that joining SM and CU would would produce more growth than not joining them but that might be the difference between government finances scraping along and bancruptcy on current taxation levels. Raising thresholds to 2015 levels is doable now providing we also raise the basic rate of taxes on income back to 2015 levels.