Britain must not let Reform UK turn the country into a version of Donald Trump’s America, Sir Ed Davey warned today as he laid out his party’s plans to overtake the Tories at the next election.
The Liberal Democrat leader claimed “racism and misogyny" would "get the tacit support of people in power" under a Nigel Farage-led government.
In a speech full at digs aimed at the Reform leader, Sir Ed accused Mr Farage of wanting to roll back the UK’s gun laws, privatise the NHS and allow social media barons, such as Elon Musk, “to act with impunity”.
He also told party activists they should aim to win more seats at the next election than the Conservatives, for the first time in more than 100 years.
“Imagine living in the Trump-inspired country Farage wants us to become,” Sir Ed told the Lib Dem party conference in Bournemouth.
“Where there’s no NHS, so patients are hit with crippling insurance bills. Or denied healthcare altogether.
“Where we pay Putin for expensive fossil fuels and destroy our beautiful countryside with fracking – while climate change rages on.
“Where gun laws are rolled back, so schools have to teach our children what to do in case of a mass shooting. Where social media barons are free to poison young minds with impunity.
“Where the government tramples on our basic rights and freedoms, unconstrained by the European Convention on Human Rights. Where Andrew Tate is held up as an example to young men.
“Where racism and misogyny get the tacit support of people in power. Where everything is in a constant state of chaos. That is Trump’s America. Don’t let it become Farage’s Britain.”
In an almost hour-long speech, Sir Ed made only sparing references to either Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer or Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Both the Labour and Tory leaders were mentioned just once apiece.
By contrast, Mr Farage was spoken about 30 times, US President Donald Trump 24 times and tech billionaire Elon Musk 10 times.
Sir Ed and his party have spent the four-day conference criticising Mr Farage, Trump and X owner Elon Musk.
He said the party has a "moral responsibility to aim high" at the next general election.
He added: "And we have a historic opportunity to win big - as the only party now representing the views and values of Britain's decent silent majority.
"So let me tell you - in confidence - our secret first target for the next general election.
"Our first target is to win more seats than the Conservatives, for the first time since Herbert Henry Asquith in 1910."
Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice has warned the party has "maxed out" the strategy of targeting Tories and should now focus on disenfranchised Labour voters.
The Lib Dems have attempted to prompt a conversation about patriotism during the conference amid protests outside migrant hotels where national flags have appeared.
Sir Ed admitted there is "no doubt that a lot needs fixing" in Britain.
However, he told his conference that we "shouldn't lose sight of the many incredible strengths this United Kingdom has going for it".
“We are a nation that believes in tolerance, decency, and respect for both individual freedom and the rule of law,” he said.
"That is our United Kingdom. And that is why I am so confident that, together, we can get things back on track."
A Reform source said: "Ed Davey squanders his big moment spouting total madness. The Lib Dems are an irrelevant laughing stock”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded Sir Ed and his party "not serious".
The Conservative leader wrote on X: "In the past year, the Lib Dems have backed Keir Starmer in Parliament over 120 times. "They are not a serious opposition party."
