Lib Dems sleepwalking to irrelevance under Davey, says council leader
Harry Farley, Political correspondent, BBC
Julian Brazil is leader of Devon County Council
A Liberal Democrat council leader has claimed the party is "sleepwalking into irrelevance" and questioned whether Sir Ed Davey is the right leader.
Julian Brazil, the leader of Devon County Council, told the BBC the party lacks "ambition" and "isn't saying things people can relate to."
When asked about Sir Ed's leadership, Brazil said: *"I wish he was" but "all the evidence says no."
A Lib Dem spokesperson countered that the party is in a strong position under Sir Ed's leadership, focusing on key issues like the cost of living and healthcare. They highlighted the party's success in the 2024 general election (72 MPs) and recent local election wins.
Brazil believes the Lib Dems have "allowed other parties to pass us by" and called for a "change within the party." He added: "We seem to be peripheral... We're lacking ambition, we're lacking courage of our convictions... We're not saying the things that people can relate to."
Brazil, who became leader of Devon County Council last year, isn't alone in his concerns. His comments reflect private discussions among Lib Dem MPs as they gather for their annual conference in Brighton.
In a pre-conference essay, South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage questioned: "Why are we as a party struggling for relevance at precisely the moment when so many people feel powerless?" She urged the party to rediscover its "insurgent spirit".
Sir Ed, elected leader in 2020, acknowledged his MPs' frustration with not being able to bring about "real change" but blamed the UK's political system.