Lib Dems aim for 'gloves-off' conference amid voter perception of weakness

The Liberal Democrats are convening for their annual conference this weekend, with internal discussions highlighting a desire for a more assertive and distinct public profile. Conversations among party frontbenchers, MPs, and staff reveal frustration that recent successes have not translated into increased support. YouGov polling conducted before the conference indicated that the party has seen no significant growth in voter support since the last general election, with some suggesting a decline.

A senior Liberal Democrat MP noted a perceived inability to convey new or interesting ideas, stating, "We lack the ability to say something new or interesting." This sentiment was echoed by a frontbencher who described the party's typical press lines as cautious, exemplified by the phrase, "a Lib Dem spokesperson said, steady on now, gently does it." Some members have expressed concern over the rise of the Green Party and its more direct communication style.

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Shifting the Party's Tone

Party leadership acknowledges these concerns and intends the upcoming conference to mark a significant change. Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader, described the event as "a gloves-off kind of conference" and indicated that "you'll see a bit of fighting talk." While the party leadership considered adopting a punchy, social media-focused approach similar to that of Zack Polanski of the Green Party, they decided against it, believing it would not resonate with the party's traditional voter base in southern England. However, there is a widespread recognition that the party lags behind others in effective social media engagement.

The party has recently introduced training for its MPs on creating social videos, a move that senior figures reportedly view with dismay given the delay. While the party excels at distributing physical leaflets to supporters, its digital outreach is seen as underdeveloped. To address this, at least 17 fringe events at the conference will focus on digital and social media strategies.

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Addressing Voter Perceptions

Concerns about the party's messaging are significant, with YouGov polling revealing that 52% of voters view the Liberal Democrats as 'weak'. Furthermore, 43% of respondents found it unclear what the party stands for, compared to 18% who believed it was strong. One MP argued for a bolder and more radical stance, stating, "We need to be angry on behalf of our constituents." Another MP expressed that the party is too focused on local campaigning tactics and lacks a broader articulation of its vision for Britain.

Even loyal supporters acknowledge the struggle to present a clear and coherent national message. Strategists believe the party's success in the last general election was primarily driven by voters seeking to remove the Conservatives, rather than a strong endorsement of Liberal Democrat policies. An advisor admitted, "We haven't yet answered why people should vote for us rather than against the Tories."

Future Ambitions and Leadership Questions

In private, Liberal Democrat MPs are openly discussing the possibility of forming a coalition government with Labour, particularly in anticipation of a hung parliament. The party's stated ambition is to act as kingmakers and prevent a Reform UK government. Party strategists are confident in retaining their current 72 seats and are targeting an additional 27 where they previously came second, mostly held by Conservatives. Cooper described the upcoming period as 'stage two' for the party, focused on winning the 'air war' and defining 'Liberal Britain'.

Despite these plans, a segment of the party openly questions the leadership of Sir Ed Davey. Some believe he is hindering the party's progress and feel the conditions are ripe for a leadership challenge, though they note the absence of a prominent challenger. Supporters of Davey highlight his experience and argue that national polling does not accurately reflect the party's strength, pointing to gains in local elections as evidence of their strategy's effectiveness. Cooper, considered a potential successor, stated that Davey is the 'absolutely the right leader' and that she is happy in her role as deputy.