Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, encouraged the new Labour government to embrace Lib Dem policies after winning a record 72 seats. He highlighted their role as a constructive opposition and called for an emergency budget to boost health and social care, championing carers.
More topics for you.This topic continues below.
Trump organization to launch two Saudi Arabia projects ahead of White House return
Biden pledged the U.S. will continue to be involved in Syria
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed that it would be positive if the new Labour government adopted their policies. Following his party's success with 72 seats in the general election, he mentioned that Labour in opposition had borrowed their idea of imposing a windfall tax on major oil and gas companies.
He aims to be a constructive opposition, using strong arguments to make the government listen. He repeated his call for an emergency budget to improve health and social care, emphasizing his party's support for caregivers.
Sir Ed also expressed ongoing support for electoral reform towards proportional representation, despite Reform UK receiving more votes but fewer seats than the Lib Dems.
"We aim to enhance our democracy because our politics is flawed, and we'll keep arguing for that," he said.
"People will elect representatives you may not agree with... That's democracy, allowing people to express their will," he added.
The Lib Dems secured a record 72 seats with 12.2% of the vote. Reform UK secured five MPs with 14.3% of the vote.
Reform chairman Richard Tice, the new MP for Boston and Skegness, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that the election results exposed the unfairness of the first-past-the-post system.
"Under a proportional representation system, we would have won 94 seats. Instead, we only have five, which is clearly unfair."
In his interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Ed dismissed suggestions that Labour's large majority meant the government could ignore the Lib Dems.
He said, "We've convinced people over the years to adopt our policies, and that's a positive thing."
The Liberal Democrats advocated for a windfall tax on the oil and gas companies' substantial profits following President Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. This proposal aimed to assist people with their energy bills. Three months later, the Labour Party adopted this idea after the Liberal Democrats introduced it.
"We're also advocating for improvements in healthcare and care services, addressing the sewage issue, and taking action on the cost of living," Sir Ed Davey said.
Sir Ed said that his party focused on health and social care in its election campaign, stressing the need for an emergency budget to revive the NHS, which he believes is suffering due to the Conservatives.
Both the prime minister and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have labeled the NHS as "broken" since assuming office.
The Lib Dem leader expressed disappointment that Labour’s manifesto did not mention family or unpaid carers, who are crucial.
"We will speak up for carers and push the government to support the millions caring for their loved ones," he said.
