New Poll Shows Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey Facing Member Dissatisfaction

A new poll released at the start of the Liberal Democrats' annual conference reveals considerable dissatisfaction among the party's own members with leader Ed Davey. The survey data suggests that Davey is less popular with his base than Andy Burnham is with Labour members, with twice the level of unpopularity.

Analysis from pollster Ipsos indicates that only 50% of voters who supported the Liberal Democrats in 2024 would do so again in 2026. A notable 23% of these former voters are considering defecting to parties on the left, while 15% are leaning towards parties on the right.

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats are currently polling around 9%, placing them behind the Greens (12%), the Conservatives (18%), and Reform UK (25%). Labour leads the field at 28%. Amidst these stagnant national figures, internal party concerns have been raised regarding Davey's ability to connect with the broader public.

Within the Liberal Democrat membership, net satisfaction ratings for Davey lag behind other prominent political figures. Kemi Badenoch of the Conservatives holds a net satisfaction rating of +46 among Conservative members, Zack Polanski of the Green Party has +72 among Green members, and Nigel Farage of Reform UK enjoys +73 among Reform UK members. Prime Minister Andy Burnham of the Labour Party has a net satisfaction rating of +61 among Labour members.

In contrast, the Ipsos poll found that only 53% of Liberal Democrat members are satisfied with Davey, with 33% unsure and 14% dissatisfied, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of +39. While Davey is recognized for personal warmth, this does not translate into strong political authority or a clear public brand. Only 21% of Britons feel he has the right plans for the country, despite 35% viewing him as honest and 31% seeing him as in touch with ordinary people.

Alex Bogdan, research director at Ipsos, described the situation as an "intense battle for relevance on the national stage" for both the party and its leader. He noted that the Liberal Democrats are "caught in a difficult political purgatory," struggling to establish a firm place in an increasingly fragmented political landscape. The central challenge, Bogdan stated, is proving the party's necessity to voters who are considering alternatives.

Despite these poll results, Davey struck a defiant tone, asserting that both Reform UK and the Conservatives would need to overcome an "Orange Wall" to gain government. He stated the Liberal Democrats have a plan to stimulate the economy, return money to citizens' pockets, and defend traditional values, aiming to present a vision for political reform and national improvement at the conference.