Ed Davey pledges to make Sunak’s Conservative government history at victory rally in Hampshire

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

• Liberal Democrats celebrate local election success with rally in Winchester as they make gains against the Conservative party across the country 

• The Lib Dems made big inroads in Home County Hampshire against the Conservatives, gaining seats in Winchester, Basingstoke and Fareham

• Ed Davey calls for a General Election and says “Let’s make this Conservative government history”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has pledged to “make this Conservative government history” after the Conservatives lost over 200 seats at the local elections.

Ed Davey spoke at a rally of Liberal Democrat activists and campaigners in Winchester, where the party gained four further seats on the council and helped deliver the worst ever result for the Conservatives.

The party also gained seats in true blue areas across Hampshire including Basingstoke, Hart and Suella Braverman’s backyard of Fareham.

Across the Blue Wall and West Country the Liberal Democrats have made strong progress against the Conservatives as they look to remove many Conservative MPs at the General Election. The party has gained ground in key battleground seats in the Blue Wall and West Country, including Cheltenham, Cheadle and Hazel Grove.

Speaking to supporters in Winchester, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“These results show what we all know: We need a General Election now. No matter how long Rishi Sunak stays squatting in Downing Street, the Liberal Democrat General Election campaign starts today to make this Conservative Government history.

“From Cheltenham to Hull and here in Hampshire – people are choosing the Liberal Democrats to make that change happen. To be their strong local champions, work tirelessly for their communities and deliver the fair deal people deserve.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

A photo of Ed Davey's victory rally is below:

Full text of Ed Davey’s speech at the Liberal Democrat election rally in Winchester.

***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***

Good afternoon friends!

Let’s make this Conservative Government history!

The votes are still being counted, but the message is coming through loud and clear.

People across the country have had enough of this out-of-touch Conservative Government.

They’ve had enough of being let down and taken for granted.

It’s time for a change.

And – from Cheltenham to Hull and here in Hampshire – people are choosing the Liberal Democrats to make that change happen.

To be their strong local champions.

To work tirelessly for their communities.

And deliver the fair deal people deserve.

I am so proud of all the Liberal Democrat councillors, candidates and campaigners who have worked so hard for these brilliant results.

Together, we have knocked on more than two million doors already this year.

We have listened to people’s concerns:

How hard they’re finding it to make ends meet.

How long they’re having to wait to see a GP or a dentist.

How angry they are at the sewage being dumped into their rivers.

How they just feel that nothing is working the way it should.

And we’ve shown that it’s Liberal Democrats who understand.

Who share those concerns.

And have the answers.

Our country badly needs change.

These results show what we all know:

We need a General Election now.

And no matter how long Rishi stays squatting in Downing Street, the Liberal Democrat general election campaign starts today.

To fight for our communities.

To fight for real change.

To fight for a fair deal.

And to make this Conservative Government history!

Thank you.