Lib Dem MP quits frontbench job over Ed Davey's leadership

Liberal Democrat MP Justin Madders, who represents Witney, has quit his position as Treasury spokesman. This move is reportedly an attempt to initiate a vote of no confidence in the party’s leader, Ed Davey. Madders declined to comment on his reasons for stepping down but sources suggest it stems from frustration over the lack of progress since the 2024 election when the Liberal Democrats secured their record-high number of 72 MPs. Despite this success, recent polls show a decline in party support; the latest YouGov survey places the Liberal Democrats at just 11%, barely matching their share from two years ago. Former leader and current environment spokesman Tim Farron has come out to defend Davey's leadership, noting that under his guidance they achieved their best election result since Lloyd George’s era and are likely to maintain or even increase their MP numbers in the next general election.