The Liberal Democrats have launched an ambitious campaign to replace the Conservatives as the dominant political force in “Middle England,” with leader Sir Ed Davey declaring his party the “natural home” for disillusioned voters. Speaking at the launch of their local election campaign in Oxfordshire, Sir Ed positioned the Lib Dems as the main challengers to the Tories in key southern heartlands, targeting 20 Conservative run councils in areas like Shropshire, Devon, and Gloucestershire. “These elections are a two horse race between us and the Conservatives in much of the country,” he said, citing the party’s record 72 MPs and recent YouGov polling showing them leading in southern England.
Sir Ed accused the Conservatives of taking voters for granted and promised Lib Dem councils would prioritise local communities. The party, which gained 104 councillors in last year’s local elections, hopes to overtake the Tories as the second-largest party in local government. Campaigning in Oxfordshire a key battleground where the Lib Dems already control the county council Sir Ed embraced his trademark quirky style, trying hobbyhorsing and tackling an obstacle course. But behind the lighthearted optics lies a serious strategy: capitalising on Conservative decline and Labour’s perceived shortcomings.
With Labour facing criticism for slow progress in government and Reform UK embroiled in infighting, Sir Ed argued the Lib Dems offer a credible alternative. “Voters are deeply disappointed with Labour’s failure to deliver change,” he said, while dismissing Reform as too chaotic to govern. The May elections, covering 24 councils and several mayoral races, will test whether the Lib Dems can convert their Westminster gains into local influence. As the Tories struggle to rebuild and Labour grapples with expectations, Sir Ed’s party is betting on Middle England’s discontent to fuel their rise.
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