Lib Dems ahead in 20 Blue Wall seats as Ed Davey puts party on General Election footing

7 May 2023

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has put his party on a general election footing. It comes as the party identifies over 20 Conservative seats under threat after the Liberal Democrats won the popular vote at the local elections.

The list of seats include former Conservative Party strongholds such as Stratford on Avon, Windsor and Maidenhead and Surrey Heath where Lib Dems took control of the local council from the Conservatives. It means a number of cabinet ministers and senior Conservative MPs have woken up to Lib Dem run councils and are now at risk of losing their seats, including Michael Gove, scandal-hit Nadhim Zahawi and former prime minister Theresa May.

Lib Dems gained 132 councillors and took control of six councils in seats held by Conservative Cabinet Ministers.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“As Leader of the Liberal Democrats, my mission is to beat as many Conservative MPs as possible.

"Since 2019 we have seen three Conservative Prime Ministers fail our country, break our economy and damage our NHS. This Government has proved time and time again that they can only deliver failure and that they are more interested in fighting each other than fighting for the British people.

“After these fantastic set of local elections for the Liberal Democrats it is clear that the momentum is now with us to beat the Conservatives in seats across their heartlands.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

See full list of Lib Dem council seats gained in cabinet ministers' constituencies: Here

Cheadle

Chelmsford

Chichester

Eastbourne

Esher & Walton

Guildford

Harpenden & Berkhamsted

Hazel Grove

Henley