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5h ago

Lib Dems Open Bournemouth Conference With Tougher Migration Pitch and Direct Attack on Farage

Ed Davey moves to cast the party as a patriotic, practical alternative to rivals.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey (left) and Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Vikki Slade make bath bombs during a visit to the Lush factory in Poole, Dorset. Photo: PA Images
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Overview

  • Ed Davey branded Nigel Farage “not a patriot,” citing the Reform leader’s Washington testimony comparing Britain to North Korea, as the Lib Dems seek to challenge Reform UK head-on.
  • The party set out a harder-edged migration plan featuring faster asylum decisions, deportations for those with no right to stay, work rights for approved applicants, and temporary “Nightingale” processing centres to close hotel use within six months.
  • Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart proposed visible policing desks in libraries, town halls and shopping centres, funded by scrapping elected police and crime commissioners.
  • Davey appealed to disaffected Conservative voters, arguing many lifelong Tories feel abandoned and pitching the Lib Dems as the home for centre‑ground voters in seats where the party is now competitive.
  • He criticised broadcasters, singling out the BBC for giving Farage disproportionate airtime, and defended his campaign stunts as effective, insisting the party is united and serious about policy.