Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has issued a stark warning to voters in the Home Counties, urging them to back his party or risk waking up to a Reform-led council. Speaking during a visit to a dairy farm in Hampshire, Davey identified five councils where the Lib Dems could win overall control: East Surrey, West Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, and Huntingdonshire.
Knife-Edge Battles
With more than 5,000 councillors to be elected on Thursday, over half of them in London and the south-east, projections suggest the Lib Dems could gain 500 seats while Labour might lose up to 1,800. The Greens are also expected to make significant gains, potentially adding 1,700 seats. Pollsters from More In Common predict the Lib Dems will take the newly created East and West Surrey councils.
Davey emphasised the urgency: "If we are going to stop Reform, we are the party most capable of doing that. It is on a knife edge in some of these areas. People could vote Labour or Green, and then we will get narrowly beaten by Reform. People will regret it for a long time."
Tactical Voting Key
Unlike previous elections, the voter base for Labour and the Conservatives is fractured, leaving many seats up for grabs. Davey argued that the Lib Dems are a better bet than the Greens, noting that disillusioned Conservative voters are turning to his party when they realise the choice is between the Lib Dems and Reform. "Tactical voting will be key. Reform is working really hard, spending lots of their money, meaning results will be on a knife edge," he said.
He pointed to straight fights between the Lib Dems and Reform in parts of northern England, including Stockport and Hull, while suggesting that areas like Portsmouth should consider voting Green to block Reform. "I am determined we stop them now," Davey added.
National Issues and Local Concerns
Davey criticised the lack of opposition to Donald Trump and perceived weakness over the war in Iran, arguing that this has hurt Reform and the Conservatives. He accused Tory leader Kemi Badenoch of tacking too far to the right, alienating traditional one-nation, pro-European liberal Tories. "They look at us and see us standing up for Britain against Trump's bullying. They like what we are saying on the economy and defence, and they feel more comfortable with us," he said.
On local issues, Davey highlighted the Lib Dems' focus on fly tipping, potholes, and sewage pollution in rivers. He also pledged to campaign against the rising cost of a pint, which has reportedly hit £10 in some parts of London. "I like a pint like everyone else, and the idea of £10 a pint should make people think twice," he said. The party proposes cutting national insurance for employers and reducing VAT for hospitality if elected to government.
Trump Factor
Davey noted that US President Donald Trump frequently comes up in conversations on the doorstep. "The vast majority of people detest Donald Trump, and they associate Nigel Farage as being Trump's champion," he said. He reiterated that voters who do not want "Trump-style policies" should vote tactically, including supporting the Lib Dems in areas where they are polling second behind Reform.
The Liberal Democrats are positioning themselves as the primary force to stop Reform UK, with Davey urging progressive voters, disillusioned Tories, and even some Reform supporters to back his party to prevent a Reform-led council.
