Ed Davey has positioned the Liberal Democrats as the centrist alternative to what he calls the extreme populist change offered by Reform UK and the Green Party. Following the 2026 local elections in England, Davey argued that the Lib Dems are uniquely placed to offer a constructive, build-it-up approach rather than the destructive politics of the extremes. The results, while mixed, show the party can hold its ground and even gain in key battlegrounds.
Key Wins and Strategic Gains
The Lib Dems achieved several eye-catching results, most notably in Richmond upon Thames, where they gained five councillors from the Greens to take all 54 seats. This clean sweep in an affluent London borough suggests that traditional Green voters may be uneasy with the new direction under leader Zack Polanski. In Portsmouth, the Lib Dems seized the city council from no overall control, fending off Reform challenges.
In the south of England, the party continued its march into former Conservative heartlands. In Sutton, the Lib Dems now hold 51 of 55 seats after the Tories lost all 20 of their councillors. The party is also set to take control of West Surrey, long considered safe Conservative territory and home to senior Tories like Jeremy Hunt.
Challenges and National Trends
Despite these local victories, the national picture is less straightforward. Early results indicate that the Lib Dems' average support is down by three percentage points compared to 2022 and 2024. This raises questions about why the party has not capitalized more on the anti-incumbent mood sweeping the country, especially compared to the gains made by Reform and the Greens.
However, Davey remains confident. Speaking in Portsmouth, he told the BBC: “Some are going to the extreme populist change, the sort of ‘burn it all down’ type change from Reform and the Greens. We offer a different form of change, which is ‘build it up’, which is far more in tune with British values of tolerance, decency, respect for the rule of law, individual freedom.”
Regional Performance: North, Scotland, and Wales
In the north of England, the Lib Dems narrowly lost majority control of Hull city council after Reform took almost half the seats being contested. Still, the party claims it “held its own” in the face of the Reform surge. In Scotland and Wales, the picture was less rosy. The SNP gained the Shetland Islands from the Lib Dems, breaking a stronghold that had been held by the Liberal party or Lib Dems since 1950.
However, in nearby Orkney, Lib Dem Liam McArthur was the first MSP returned to Holyrood, polling 70% of the vote—the largest share in Scottish parliament history. This shows the party retains deep roots in certain communities.
What This Means for UK Politics
The Lib Dems are carving out a niche as the moderate, pro-European, and socially liberal alternative to both Labour and the Conservatives. With Reform and the Greens pulling from opposite ends of the spectrum, Davey’s party aims to capture the centre ground. The results suggest that while the Lib Dems may not be surging nationally, they remain a formidable force in local government and in specific regions.
A table of key results:
| Area | Lib Dem Outcome |
|---|---|
| Richmond upon Thames | Gained 5 seats from Greens, now hold all 54 |
| Portsmouth | Seized council from no overall control |
| Sutton | 51 of 55 seats, Conservatives lost all 20 |
| West Surrey | Set to take control from Conservatives |
| Shetland Islands | Lost to SNP |
| Orkney | 70% vote share for Liam McArthur |
FAQ: Understanding the Lib Dem Strategy
Why are the Lib Dems positioning themselves against Reform and the Greens?
Ed Davey believes that both Reform UK and the Green Party offer extreme populist change that threatens British values of tolerance and decency. By contrasting his party’s “build it up” approach with the extremes, he hopes to attract moderate voters disillusioned with the Conservatives and Labour.
Did the Lib Dems gain or lose overall support in these elections?
While the party won some high-profile local victories, early data shows its national vote share is down about three points compared to previous elections. This suggests that while the party is efficient in targeted areas, it has not yet translated anti-incumbent sentiment into a broad national surge.
What does the Richmond upon Thames result tell us about Green voters?
The Lib Dems’ sweep in Richmond, taking all seats from the Greens, indicates that some traditional Green supporters may be uncomfortable with the party’s new direction under leader Zack Polanski. This could signal a shift of moderate Green voters toward the Lib Dems in affluent, liberal areas.
How did the Lib Dems perform in Scotland and Wales?
Results were mixed. The party lost the Shetland Islands to the SNP, a historic stronghold, but achieved a record 70% vote share in Orkney. This shows the Lib Dems remain strong in specific Scottish communities but face challenges from nationalist and other parties.
