Overview

• At the Bournemouth conference, the Lib Dem leader refused to rule out a post‑election agreement with Keir Starmer, citing a “moral responsibility” to keep Reform out of government.
• He categorically rejected any pact with Nigel Farage, casting Reform as Trump‑style populism that conflicts with Liberal Democrat values.
• Davey said his party can prevent a Reform majority through a seat‑by‑seat strategy, pointing to their record 72 MPs from the last general election.
• The party is escalating outreach to disaffected Conservatives, with plans to contact more than two million former Tory voters to boost support and membership.
• A conference straw poll showed limited grassroots support for a Lib‑Lab coalition, as national surveys put Reform near 30% and analysts warn the Tory‑focused Lib Dem strategy may be close to its ceiling.