Overview

• Sir Ed Davey has pledged to make the Liberal Democrats the 'party of Middle England,' aiming to overtake the Conservatives in local government.
• The party is focusing its campaign on local issues, including fixing potholes, improving healthcare access, and cleaning polluted rivers.
• The Lib Dems are targeting 20 Conservative-run councils in the May 1 elections, building on gains made in Tory strongholds during the 2024 general election.
• Disillusioned Labour voters are a key focus, with the party criticizing Labour policies such as inheritance tax on farms and means-testing of benefits.
• The campaign launch highlights the Lib Dems' strategy to establish themselves as a centrist alternative to both Labour and the Conservatives.