Ed Davey has stated that the Liberal Democrats are not limiting their aspirations as he kicked off the party’s general election campaign. He highlighted the strong voter response the Lib Dems have been receiving, the best in a generation, while out on the campaign trail.
Davey criticized Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and other Conservative MPs for taking their constituents for granted, expressing confidence about winning more seats in the upcoming election on 4 July. He unveiled the Lib Dems’ new campaign bus, Yellow Hammer One, and addressed a large crowd of supporters at the launch event in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday.
In his speech, Davey emphasized health and environmental issues, pointing out hospitals with “dangerous crumbling roofs” and “sewage pouring into” wards. He pledged to introduce a 10-year rolling repair program for the NHS estate.
When asked about the Lib Dems’ election goals, Davey told PA Media: “I’m not putting a ceiling on our ambitions. We are engaging with voters across the country, and the response has been phenomenal, the best we’ve seen in a generation. I was first elected in 1997, and this moment feels quite similar. I’m not concerned about other parties; I’m focused on our mission and the change we can bring.”
Lib Dems
The Lib Dems are targeting traditional Conservative strongholds in the “blue wall” of southern England. Encouraged by recent by-election and local election successes in the region, the party is setting its sights on several constituencies held by cabinet ministers, including Hunt’s.
Regarding Hunt’s Godalming and Ash constituency, Davey expressed eagerness for the campaign, noting significant dissatisfaction among lifelong Conservative voters. He said, “I believe people like Jeremy Hunt have let their constituents down, taken them for granted, and assumed they would always vote Conservative.”
Over the weekend, both the Conservatives and Labour made significant pledges, with the Tories promising mandatory national service if re-elected, and Labour advocating for voting rights for 16- and 17-year-olds.
In response, Ed Davey stated, “The Liberal Democrats have long supported votes for 16-year-olds, and it’s encouraging to see other parties catching up. However, while this is an important reform, it is relatively minor. Therefore, we need to transform our political system comprehensively. Additionally, as for the Conservatives’ proposal on national service, the hypocrisy is astounding. Instead, we need a full-time, professional, highly trained military. Indeed, we have the best army in the world and should support it fully.”
Furthermore, the party has previously cited local election results in May, which indicated gains in traditionally Conservative constituencies, as evidence that their strategy of targeting Tory wards is effective. Consequently, Lib Dem officials believe these results validate their approach and demonstrate their potential for success in the upcoming election.
