A significant faction within the Liberal Democrats' parliamentary ranks is expressing growing discontent with the party's direction under Sir Ed Davey, criticising a perceived lack of ambition and coherent national messaging.
Backbench Discontent Over Cautious Strategy
While there is no active move to oust Davey, who led the party to its best election result in a century last year, some estimate up to half of the Lib Dems' 72 MPs share these frustrations. MPs warn the current mood could shift if no progress is made in defining the party's broader purpose.
"Morale is low," one MP revealed. "No one is saying get rid of Ed. But what they are saying is that those around him need to move with significant pace towards the development of a national story for the party to tell."
The criticism centres on a belief that while the party excelled in 2024 with a tightly disciplined focus on core issues like the NHS, care, and sewage, it is now failing to capitalise on its position as a major parliamentary force. "Reform are assuming a place in the national debate, and so are the Greens. We are content to not do this. And it isn't good enough," the MP added.
The Search for a 'Retail Offer' and Policy Setbacks
Several MPs pointed to a need for a bold, clear economic policy to address the cost of living. "We need a big retail offer on the economy," one said. "We need to be more radical on this."
Frustration also stems from perceived strategic missteps, such as when the party spent weeks developing a policy for film-style age ratings on social media, only for the Conservatives to announce a similar plan days before, seizing the initiative. This has fuelled a sense that the party's approach can be "too academic at times" and reactive.
However, defenders of Davey's approach point to the catastrophic 2019 election, where a bold pledge to reverse Brexit won votes but yielded just 11 seats. "Ed is not willing for that to happen again," an ally stated, emphasising a focus on defending the party's hard-won seats and targeting new ones under the first-past-the-post system.
A Potential Tipping Point on the Horizon
The simmering tensions are not unknown to the leadership, having been raised at recent party awaydays. "There's no shouting, there is no jostling for position. But there are penetrating questions being asked about our purpose and where we are going," an MP commented. "At the moment it feels a bit like gruel."
A key test will be the upcoming May elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and English councils. Disappointing results, combined with a continued sense of caution, could prove a tipping point for backbench patience.
"We all know divided parties don't go down well with the electorate," another MP cautioned. "But if you look at the history of the party, when our leaders go, they go very quickly. They are secure until suddenly they are not. And I don't think it would take much for frustrations to bubble over."
