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Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey addressed frustrations among MPs about their limited ability to effect change within the political system ahead of his party's annual conference in Brighton. In response to MP Roz Savage’s comments about the party needing to rediscover its "insurgent spirit," Davey argued that the Lib Dems are actually the most united party in British politics and highlighted their strong performance in local elections, noting they now run more councils than the Conservatives. Despite these achievements, recent YouGov polling shows a significant portion of the public views the Lib Dems as weak and unclear on their stance.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, defended his party against claims that it is struggling for relevance as he kicked off the party’s annual conference in Brighton. Roz Savage, MP for South Cotswolds and a senior member of the party, had previously criticized the system, arguing it limits MPs' abilities to effect change. Savage suggested the party must rediscover its "insurgent spirit" rather than being seen merely as custodians of an unresponsive political system.
Davey dismissed these criticisms, pointing out that the Liberal Democrats now run more councils than the Conservatives and secured a £72 million donation from crypto billionaires recently. Despite this, a recent Ipsos poll suggested only half of previous Liberal Democrat voters would support the party again in future elections, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham being twice as popular among his supporters.
To boost morale at the conference, Davey engaged in an attention-grabbing stunt by serving fish and chips to supporters on Brighton Palace Pier, emphasizing that the party remains united despite frustrations felt by some MPs.
Written for “Lib Dem Relevance Debate” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
He said he understands how MPs get “frustrated” after they are elected to their posts and realise the limits of what they can achieve within the political system.
asserted
they → say → system
South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage made the remark in an essay ahead of the party’s annual conference, which kicks off on Saturday.
asserted
which → make → Saturday
She also said the party must rediscover its “insurgent spirit” rather than being the “polite custodians of a system that leaves people feeling powerless”.
asserted
that → say → people
Party leader Sir Ed Davey donned a chef’s coat to serve up fish and chips to customers at Brighton Palace Pier as he marked his arrival for the conference.
asserted
he → don → conference
He told the Press Association: “No, I heard Roz (Savage), and I really value her, but I think she’s wrong on that.
asserted
she → tell → that
“If you look at our election results up and down the country, we now run more councils than the Conservatives.”
asserted
we → look → Conservatives
He added: “Actually, I sense we’re the most united party in British politics and that’s the impression I get going round talking to members here.
asserted
I → add → members
“Listen, MPs get elected and they get frustrated because they can’t change the world.
asserted
they → listen → world
“I’m afraid that’s the political system.
asserted
that → ’m → ?
I’ve been used to it for a little while and people are learning about that frustration.
asserted
people → learn → frustration
“But we want to change that political system.
asserted
we → want → system
It’s holding everyone back, particularly holding our country back.”
Read More
Sir Ed has sought to boost his party’s profile with attention-grabbing stunts and ramped them up before the last general election in which the Lib Dems returned a record number of MPs.
asserted
Dems → hold → MPs
But it has struggled to maintain a strong presence as Reform UK and the Green Party have often managed to generate more headlines.
asserted
UK → struggle → headlines
The party was described as “weak” in new YouGov polling by just more than half of those asked, and while the survey signalled the public largely sees the Lib Dems as moderate, 43% said it is unclear what they stand for.
uncertain
they → describe → what
It noted the Lib Dems have trailed other parties in voting intention polls for most of the last year and have seen “no real growth in support since the last general election”.
asserted
Dems → note → election
The party is seeking to firm up a platform for the next general election, with health and the economy at the centre at the four-day conference in Brighton.
asserted
party → seek → Brighton
He said the party had already set up its manifesto working group, with Cheadle MP Tom Morrison as the chairman.
asserted
party → say → chairman
Sir Ed said: “So, we’ll be ready if it comes early.
“
asserted
it → say → ?
But, you know, it still could be up to three years away.
uncertain
it → know → ?
He said his party has a “distinctive position” in British politics with their goals to take the UK back into the single market and the customs union, which they believe is key to growing the economy and bringing down taxes, as well as focus on the NHS.
asserted
they → say → NHS
The party is positioning itself to take on Reform as well as its typical rivals the Conservatives in upcoming polls, and Sir Ed will pitch the party as “willing to fight” at a rally on Saturday.
asserted
Ed → position → Saturday
He will say that Reform is hoping that they will give up out of tiredness or depression, but that a “bigger orange wall” is needed to stop Nigel Farage’s path to Downing Street.
asserted
wall → say → Street
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