Ed Davey Open to Labour Deal to Prevent 'Damaging' Tory-Reform Coalition

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has indicated that his party would be open to forming a coalition with Labour to prevent what he described as a 'hugely damaging' Conservative-Reform alliance.

Davey's remarks come as polls suggest a potential hung parliament at the next election, where no single party would secure an overall majority. He stated that a coalition between the Conservatives and Reform UK would be detrimental to the country. The Liberal Democrats have seen a surge in support since the 2024 election, growing from 11 MPs to 72, and Davey emphasized the importance of being in government to enact policy changes.

"I think politicians should always want to get into government," Davey told the Sunday Times. "I had the huge privilege of being in government and we got lots of Liberal Democrat things done. We stopped the Conservatives doing lots of things that they wanted to do. So being in power does give you that ability to shape the future of the country and that's what we want to do."

Davey's comments follow reports of internal dissent within the Liberal Democrats, with some MPs reportedly unhappy about the party's perceived lack of progress since the last general election. MP Charlie Maynard recently resigned from his frontbench role, a move that was suggested to be an attempt to trigger a confidence vote in Davey's leadership. However, no such vote took place after a meeting of the parliamentary party.

The Liberal Democrats currently poll around 11%, a figure consistent with their 2024 election performance. Meanwhile, the Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch, are reportedly planning to target seats previously held by the Liberal Democrats in the South of England, potentially with promises of tax cuts.

Davey's openness to a deal with Labour appears to be a strategic move to counter potential right-wing consolidation and to reassure party members of his focus on regaining power.