Liberal Democrats to focus on tax cuts and Europe – Sir Ed Davey

Sir Ed Davey is facing some concern from within his party over the Lib Dem’s relevance and relatability under his leadership (PA) PA Wire Helen Corbett 2 minutes ago The Liberal Democrats will focus on tax cuts and Europe as they look to get voters on side before the next general election, Sir Ed Davey has said.

They have already called for a 10p fuel duty cut until at least Christmas to ease cost-of-living pressures and Sir Ed said further proposals would be unveiled in his leader’s speech at the annual party conference in Brighton.

The party also wants to rejoin the EU’s customs union and single market, which they say will boost the UK’s economy and allow them to cut taxes.

Sir Ed told the Press Association: “I think we could get back in really quickly, and we’d also have a really strong hand because we’re talking about not just a growth partnership, but a defence partnership too.”

He dismissed that the EU knowing that the party’s plans hinge on rejoining would weaken their hand.

“The thing about trade is it helps both sides; it’s a mutual thing, so it would both improve the British economy and improve the European economy.”

The party believes a return to the customs union and single market could be negotiated within a year, his deputy Daisy Cooper has said.

The party is seeking to firm up a platform for the next general election at its four-day conference, and as polling has consistently put the Lib Dems behind the other major parties, Sir Ed said he doesn’t look at them, insisting “What I look at is elections”.

They are facing a challenge to cut through to the public amid a crowded field that sees them competing for attention with Labour and the Conservatives as well as rising parties such as Reform UK and the Greens.

Few have seen Sir Ed on social media, heard from the Liberal Democrats, or know what they stand for, polling from More in Common suggested.

The party was described as “weak” by more than half of those surveyed in recent YouGov polling.

And Sir Ed is facing concerns from within as MP Roz Savage said the party was “struggling for relevance” and Devon council leader Julian Brazil said the Lib Dems were “not saying the things that people can relate to”.

Sir Ed said this was a result of the party’s growth, after it won a record 72 seats in Parliament in 2024 and took council seats in local elections.

“We’ve grown really fast in recent years under my leadership. Record number of MPs. We’re running more councils than the Conservatives – councils up and down the country.