Editing Ed Davey (section)

==Leader of the Liberal Democrats (2020–present)==
===2020 leadership bid===
{{main|2020 Liberal Democrats leadership election}}

[[File:Ed Davey (2020) for leader logo.png|thumb|Davey's leadership bid logo|left]]
In June 2020, whilst acting leader, Davey launched his bid to become leader saying that his "experience as a carer can help rebuild Britain after the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]".<ref name="ed">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Peter |title=Ed Davey: my experience as a carer can help rebuild Britain after coronavirus |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/04/ed-davey-my-experience-as-a-carer-can-help-rebuild-britain-after-coronavirus |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=4 June 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604075559/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/04/ed-davey-my-experience-as-a-carer-can-help-rebuild-britain-after-coronavirus |archive-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> He proposed the establishment of a [[Universal basic income|basic income]] to support carers, and said that the Liberal Democrats should be "the party of social care".<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Davey launches Liberal Democrat leadership bid|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2020/06/04/davey-launches-liberal-democrat-leadership-bid/|date=4 June 2020|access-date=4 June 2020|website=Shropshire Star|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604090902/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2020/06/04/davey-launches-liberal-democrat-leadership-bid/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="stone endorsement">{{cite web|date=4 June 2020|title=Ed Davey pledges citizen's basic income for carers as he launches Lib Dem leadership campaign|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-leadership-policies-citizens-basic-income-carers-a9549211.html|last=Woodcock|first=Andrew|access-date=24 June 2020|website=The Independent|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621190419/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-leadership-policies-citizens-basic-income-carers-a9549211.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Davey ruled out a formal electoral agreement with the Labour Party, but said that he would prioritise defeating the Conservatives, and ruled out working with the Conservatives following the next election.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Read|first=Jonathon|date=13 July 2020|title=Ed Davey says he is 'anti-Conservative' and will work with Keir Starmer to oust Boris Johnson|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-on-keir-starmer-and-boris-johnson-1-6742995|access-date=26 July 2020|website=The New European|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726104417/https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-on-keir-starmer-and-boris-johnson-1-6742995|url-status=live}}</ref> He proposed a plan to reduce [[carbon emissions]] from domestic flights to zero by 2030 through investment in research and technology.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 July 2020|title=Lib Dems' Ed Davey calls for zero carbon domestic flights by 2030|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/ed-davey-zero-carbon-domestic-flights-2030-557379|access-date=26 July 2020|website=inews.co.uk|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726113120/https://inews.co.uk/news/ed-davey-zero-carbon-domestic-flights-2030-557379|url-status=live}}</ref> In a hustings event with Welsh members, he said that the [[2021 Senedd election]] was a priority and he expected success for the Liberal Democrats.<ref name=":6" />
[[File:Official portrait of Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP crop 2.jpg|thumb|MP portrait, 2020]]
Davey was one of two candidates running for leader in the Liberal Democrats leadership election, competing with [[Layla Moran]]. One recurring theme of the leadership campaign was Davey's record in the Cameron-Clegg coalition government, and the policies that government had enacted. Moran is considered to be more left-wing than Davey and representing a break from the coalition years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Read|first=Jonathon|title=POLL: Who gets your backing in the Lib Dem leadership election?|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-or-layla-moran-which-lib-dem-gets-your-vote-1-6764865|access-date=15 August 2020|website=The New European|date=27 July 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809084821/https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-or-layla-moran-which-lib-dem-gets-your-vote-1-6764865|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="turning left">{{cite web|title=Layla Moran on turning left and whether the Lib Dems should go into coalition again|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/07/layla-moran-turning-left-and-whether-lib-dems-should-go-coalition-again|access-date=26 July 2020|website=[[New Statesman]]|date=10 July 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726084925/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/07/layla-moran-turning-left-and-whether-lib-dems-should-go-coalition-again|url-status=live}}</ref> Alongside Clegg and many of the Liberal Democrats who served in the governing Conservative-Lib Dem coalition of 2010–2015, Davey is associated with the party's right-wing [[The Orange Book|Orange Booker]] branch. The record of the coalition, which caused a decline in popularity of the Liberal Democrats after 2015, has been defended by Davey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Was Ed Davey 'a bit right-wing' for a Tory coalition partner?|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/was-ed-davey-a-bit-right-wing-for-a-tory-coalition-partner-|date=4 July 2020|author=Steerpike|website=The Spectator|access-date=15 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805163205/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/was-ed-davey-a-bit-right-wing-for-a-tory-coalition-partner-|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 August, Davey won the leadership election with 42,756 votes, which translated to 63.5% of total votes. In his victory speech, Davey said that the Liberal Democrats must "wake up and smell the coffee" and "start listening" to ordinary people and those who "don't believe we share their values". He also stressed his experience in the coalition government, and his commitments to tackle [[climate change]]. Moran later congratulated Davey on [[Twitter]], saying "I look forward to working with him to campaign for a better future for Britain."<ref name="GuardianResult">{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Heather|date=27 August 2020|title=Ed Davey elected Liberal Democrat leader|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/27/ed-davey-elected-liberal-democrat-leader|access-date=27 August 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827115727/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/27/ed-davey-elected-liberal-democrat-leader|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBCresult">{{cite news|title=Sir Ed Davey wins Liberal Democrats leadership election|date=27 August 2020|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53933470|access-date=27 August 2020|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827104202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53933470|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under Davey's leadership, the Liberal Democrats made gains in local elections alongside Labour, with both parties making gains in the [[2023 United Kingdom local elections|2023 local elections]] and made further gains in the [[2024 United Kingdom local elections|2024 local elections]], where the Liberal Democrats finished second for the first time in a local election cycle since [[2009 United Kingdom local elections|2009]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Britain's Conservatives trounced in local elections as Labour makes gains |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/4/britains-conservatives-trounced-in-local |access-date=5 May 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516100659/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/4/britains-conservatives-trounced-in-local |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2024 general election campaign stunts and seat victories ===
{{Main|2024 United Kingdom general election}}{{Blockquote|text=This general election is a chance to kick Rishi Sunak’s appalling Conservative government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for. For years the Conservative Party has taken voters for granted and lurched from crisis to crisis while the problems facing the country are getting so much worse. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services. It’s clear that in many seats across the country, the best way to beat the Conservatives is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.|author=Ed Davey after the general election was called, May 2024}}
[[File:Prime Minister's Questions, 24 July 2024 26.jpg|thumb|Davey speaking during [[Prime Minister's Questions]], 24 July 2024]]
Davey led his party in the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], and was noted, with praise and criticism, for his campaign stunts.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2024 |title=Lib Dems aim to grab attention with campaign stunts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c844p844eqxo |access-date=31 May 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615124843/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c844p844eqxo |url-status=live }}</ref> When visiting [[Windermere]], Davey fell off his [[Paddleboarding|paddleboard]], whilst campaigning to highlight the political issue of [[sewage discharge in the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rawlinson |first=Kevin |date=28 May 2024 |title=Stunts, sewage and serious messaging: Lib Dems hope to capitalise on outrage at water pollution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/28/stunts-sewage-and-serious-messaging-lib-dems-hope-to-capitalise-on-outrage-at-water-pollution |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615124843/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/28/stunts-sewage-and-serious-messaging-lib-dems-hope-to-capitalise-on-outrage-at-water-pollution |url-status=live }}</ref> A couple of days later, Davey won high-profile media attention when going down a [[Slip 'N Slide]], whilst drawing attention to deteriorating [[Mental health in the United Kingdom#Children and adolescents|mental health among children]]. When visiting [[Eastbourne (UK Parliament constituency)|Eastbourne]], Davey did a bungee jump, asking people to "take the plunge" and vote Liberal Democrat.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 July 2024 |title=Lib Dems plunge head first into final week of campaign |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp6871w1lzko |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703010919/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp6871w1lzko |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked about these stunts, Davey said: "Politicians need to take the concerns and interests of voters seriously but I'm not sure they need to take themselves seriously all the time and I'm quite happy to have some fun".<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/ed-davey-stunt-lib-dems-election-b2554371.html |title=Ed Davey rides rubber ring on waterslide as Lib Dems campaign about children's mental health |date=31 May 2024 |last=Patrick |first=Holly |access-date=1 June 2024 |via=www.independent.co.uk |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601145443/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/ed-davey-stunt-lib-dems-election-b2554371.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Davey also spoke on his experience as a carer both for his mother when he was a child, and contemporarily for his son. This included an election broadcast focusing on his caring responsibilities, with Davey stating that the Liberal Democrat manifesto put health and care at the centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Ed Davey: We felt we had a duty to talk about caring for our disabled son |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sir-ed-davey-we-felt-we-had-a-duty-to-talk-about-caring-for-our-disabled-son-13158142 |access-date=1 January 2025 |website=Sky News }}</ref>

On 10 June 2024, Davey launched the Liberal Democrat [[manifesto]], titled ''[[For a Fair Deal]]'', in London.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 June 2024 |title=General Election 2024: A quick take on the Lib Dem's manifesto |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ce44z03r3e3o |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=BBC News }}</ref> He stressed that the Lib Dems are a "pro-European party"; the manifesto includes a promise for the UK to rejoin the [[European single market]].<ref>{{cite web |date=10 June 2024 |title=Ed Davey says Lib Dems would fight for UK to rejoin EU and one day overturn Brexit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-general-election-eu-b2559865.html |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=The Independent |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610144025/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-general-election-eu-b2559865.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Midway through the campaign, opinion pollsters [[YouGov]] found that 35% of Liberal Democrat voters did not recognise a photograph of Davey.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49836-one-in-three-lib-dem-voters-dont-recognise-ed-davey |title=One in three Lib Dem voters don't recognise Ed Davey |website=YouGov |date=22 June 2024 |access-date=22 June 2024 |archive-date=1 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701154635/https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49836-one-in-three-lib-dem-voters-dont-recognise-ed-davey |url-status=live }}</ref> Amid the [[2024 United Kingdom general election betting scandal|general election betting scandal]], Davey, whilst admitting that he had previously bet on the outcome of elections, called for a review of gambling laws.<ref name="h771">{{cite web |last=Whannel |first=Kate |date=26 June 2024 |title=Ed Davey calls for gambling law review after election bet row |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjll6dg48xno |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626133722/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjll6dg48xno |url-status=live }}</ref>

Davey led his party to both their highest ever number of seats and the highest number of seats for a third party since [[1923 United Kingdom general election|1923]], restoring the Liberal Democrats as the third largest party in the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web |last=Henry |first=Charlotte |date=5 July 2024 |title=Why the Lib Dems did so well |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-the-lib-dems-did-so-well/ |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=The Spectator }}</ref> He celebrated by singing [[Neil Diamond]]'s "[[Sweet Caroline]]" at a Liberal Democrat party.<ref>{{cite news |last=X {{!}} @EllieSwintonITV |first=Source |date=5 July 2024 |title=Ed Davey sings Sweet Caroline as Lib Dems celebrate historic election – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2024/jul/05/ed-davey-sings-sweet-caroline-as-lib-dems-celebrate-historic-election-performance-video |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> This also makes Davey able to ask two questions to the prime minister each week at [[Prime Minister's Questions]], the first Liberal Democrat leader to do so since Nick Clegg in 2010. Davey said he was humbled by the results, and jokingly said: "I've rather enjoyed this campaign".<ref>{{cite web |date=5 July 2024 |title=Sir Ed Davey hails 'record-breaking' night for Liberal Democrats |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51y2z7jdz9o |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=BBC News }}</ref> He retained Kingston and Surbiton for the Liberal Democrats at the election, with an increased majority.

=== 2024 leadership bid ===
{{Main|2024 Liberal Democrats leadership election}}
Another leadership election was held in December 2024 due to the requirement in the Liberal Democrats' party constitution that a leadership election should be held at least once during each Westminster parliament. Davey, the incumbent party leader under whom the Liberal Democrats had their best ever performance in the 2024 general election, was the only candidate and was elected unopposed.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title=2024 Federal Leadership Election |url=https://www.libdems.org.uk/internal-elections/2024-federal-leadership |accessdate=19 December 2024 |website=libdems.org.uk}}</ref>

=== 2025 local elections ===
{{Main|2025 United Kingdom local elections}}
Davey launched the Liberal Democrats' campaign in the [[2025 United Kingdom local elections|2025 local elections]] on 17 March 2025 in [[Great Missenden]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=Lib Dems launch election campaign in Buckinghamshire |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/24999957.liberal-democrats-outline-local-election-plans-bucks/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Bucks Free Press |language=en}}</ref> On 20 March 2025 the party's spring conference began in [[Harrogate]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-20 |title=Harrogate to host Lib Dem Spring Conference for first time since 2009 this weekend |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/harrogate-to-host-lib-dem-spring-conference-for-first-time-since-2009-this-weekend-5042637 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Harrogate Advertiser |language=en}}</ref> Davey said he wants to replace the Conservatives as the "party of [[Middle England]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-31 |title=Lib Dems aim to become 'party of Middle England', says Ed Davey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxn6x39qyxo |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Similar to his party's campaign in the 2024 general election the year prior, Davey did several campaign stunts. There were major gains for the Liberal Democrats who  won three new councils and won more seats than the Conservatives for the second local election in a row.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=Lib Dems take two councils after winning Conservative votes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/creqr4x18leo |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Davey celebrated these gains, stating his party was now the "party of Middle England".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Driscoll |first1=Alex |last2=Correspondent |first2=Christopher McKeon PA Political |date=2025-05-02 |title=Lib Dems now 'party of middle England' says Davey after local election gains |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/lib-dems-now-party-middle-10153457?int_source=nba |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Gloucestershire Live |language=en}}</ref>