Brighton buzzed with excitement last month as the Liberal Democrats held their annual Autumn Conference from September 14 to 17, celebrating their historic success at the most recent general election. With the party reclaiming its role as the third-largest party, having won 72 seats—its best performance since before World War I—members were eager to discuss their path forward.
Party leader Ed Davey took to the stage to reflect on the party's remarkable revival. After facing one of its most disappointing results in 2019, the Liberal Democrats now find themselves stronger and more confident than ever. Addressing the crowd, he pledged, "Together, we've achieved the biggest win in our modern history with 72 MPs fighting for a fairer, freer, and more open Britain. Now, we must stay true to our mandate and continue repaying the trust placed in us every day."
Drawing upon this momentum, Davey urged the party to get to work immediately. He painted an ambitious picture of the country the party aims to build, emphasizing investment in education, innovation, and the National Health Service (NHS). "Imagine the liberal Britain we can create together—where we get people off NHS waiting lists and back to work, and where we grow our economy to create new opportunities," he said.
During the conference, members also approved significant policy motions, including efforts to reform the NHS, boost international development, and replace the first-past-the-post voting system with proportional representation. Around these discussions, there were proposals encouraging young people to engage with Europe—an initiative close to many members’ hearts.
But beyond the celebration, serious conversations were underway around the party's identity and strategy as they navigate the new political complexity of being the largest third party. Many party members shared their thoughts on how to define the liberal brand amid competition from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party.
Despite Labour's recent ascendance under leader Keir Starmer, some Lib Dem MPs expressed their willingness to collaborate on certain issues where their values align. Sarah Gibson, newly elected MP for Chippenham, remarked, "I’m extremely happy to see Keir Starmer there. I just like to see competent people running the country, individuals whose interests align with the community." Similarly, Sarah Olney, another prominent Lib Dem MP, noted there was “a lot of overlap between Liberal Democrats and Labour,” particularly on climate change and other pressing matters.
Throughout the conference, discussions on healthcare emerged as central to their future political strategy. With the health crisis at the forefront of public concern, Davey committed to pushing the Labour government to improve NHS services without undermining the progress made. "The Tories can’t talk about it because they broke it," quipped one party aide, reinforcing the urgency for the Lib Dems to capitalize on this opening.
The challenge for the Liberal Democrats now revolves around their identity. Traditionally, the party has been perceived as focusing primarily on certain issues, like environmentalism and human rights. Recently, they find themselves uniquely positioned to appeal to segments of the electorate who feel abandoned by both Labour and the Conservatives. The present situation raises doubts about whether the Lib Dems can attract voters from either party without compromising their core principles.
Here's where the idea of cooperation with Labour becomes intriguing. With both parties capturing 483 out of 650 Commons seats and leaving the Conservatives reeling with only 121, many activists began eyeing the prospect of tactical voting to challenge Tory dominance. "We are going to be a stronger opposition than the Conservative Party," one spokesperson proclaimed, setting the tone for the possibilities twinkling on the horizon.
Not all the dialogues were devoid of concern. Some members voiced fears about losing new Tory voters who might be more conservative leaning, anxious about how they would respond to Labour’s government alongside the Lib Dems. The remnants of old rivalries still linger, complicting matters for Davey and Starmer.
Historical patterns also suggest hesitation around forming formal pacts or partnerships. A historical record indicates there have only been two substantial periods of cooperation between the Liberals and Labour, which adds complexity to forward-looking strategies. Ed Davey, speaking candidly, remarked, "Our job is to consign the Conservative party to the history books," but he knows this task will require significant collaboration with Labour.
The conference environment was charged with excitement, not just because of the party's achievements, but also the renewed sense of purpose among the members heading back to their constituencies. Enthusiastic discussions flew about gaining more seats next election, with some activists secretly whispering about the potential of increasing their MPs to the "magic figure of 100".
Nevertheless, the question arising now is how Ed Davey plans to forge the party’s identity within the “gaps” left by both Labour and the Conservatives. Several senior members expressed the need for the party to clearly articulate its platform and values as they enter this new political era. Some party insiders predict new Lib Dem MPs will be quite instrumental in redefining the party's essence away from being merely seen as the alternative for disappointed Labour voters.
So what's next as the Liberal Democrats surge back from the political margins? With the conference wrapped up, the focus returns to the practicalities of governance, cooperation, and maintaining the momentum built from their recent victories. With high spirits after unprecedented electoral success, party leaders and members alike now face the challenge of defining their next chapter—a balance between celebrating their newfound position as contenders for influence and strategically recognizing the need for collaboration with their political rivals.
Whether the Liberal Democrats can seize this moment hangs delicately on their ability to establish themselves as constructive opposition, anticipate and react quickly to the shifting political winds, and navigate coalitional politics with Labour as they seek to uproot long-standing Tory dominance. The excitement of the conference has sparked renewed hope, but tangible progress and collaboration will dictate how successful this revival truly will be.
