Ed Davey Interview: Should we forgive the Lib Dems?

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey could be the next leader of the opposition, if some polls are to believed.
Some say the party are still tainted by the coalition government, in which the Lib Dems gave license to hefty student loans - despite being elected on a pledge that promised they would not.
A lot has changed since 2010. Is it time to put it all behind us?
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[@vishmaster09]

Please vote lib Dems so they become leader of opposition

[@verraguid]

better than the british nazis

[@sararichardson737]

Yes yes yes.

[@Bnk12x]

far better than the brown coats

[@karenchapmannewton3081]

As my son wrote to me: ‘Thought he sounded like a breath of fresh air for a moment then checked his voting history: constantly voted against raising tax on high earners to fund NHS, voted against higher taxes on 150k+ earners, voted against raising capitals gains tax, voted against stricter fracking regulations voted for academy schools, voted 14 times to reduce corporation tax, voted 13 times for reductions in welfare benefits voted 5 times against paying higher benefits voted for bedroom tax he's voted "correctly" on some things but given his angle at the election it seems like a complete U-turn if he's sincere’

[@bob1234881]

​@karenchapmannewton3081 but is 'your son' correct? Or are you Russian?

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

I would love to witness a pmq with Starmer addressing the leader of the opposition Ed Davey.

[@fenner3655]

In our dreams

[@danielthompson2561]

@@fenner3655reality if we all vote for them.

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

Vote tactically & persuade other to do the same.

[@ThePrinceOrtmayer]

He might even be PM in five years if Red Tory Stammer F***s up

[@vishmaster09]

I'm voting lib Dems for that reason

[@nearlyaverage9694]

I think out of everyone currently in politics, Ed Davey is not the one who needs forgiveness.

[@Llakjshsheueheheu]

Why?

[@verraguid]

@@Llakjshsheueheheu cuz he's done nothing, hence he does not require it

[@_Stroda]

@@Llakjshsheueheheu Labour and Conservative hypocrites would have you believe that he somehow, despite better conduct than most, deserves the greatest share of blame for the Post Office scandal.

[@user-hp6ls8qy6d]

Awwww, you a fan of his?

[@Llakjshsheueheheu]

@@user-hp6ls8qy6d Yh I am tbh

[@seraaron]

This was actually a really good interview. He talks like an actual human being, and actually (mostly) answers the questions that Eva asked.

[@markmasterson4811]

Yes, quiet thoughtful well breifed/informed and able to give a full sentence joined up answer. I would be tempted to vote for him were I living in uk.

[@nuclearbeaver96]

Everytime I see him talking I think he might actually make a good prime minister, he's very human, and a lot of their policies seem to be grounded in actual personal experience

[@oliverleonard7730]

Imagine them ending up as the official opposition behind Labour.

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

Fingers crossed 🤞

[@sararichardson737]

Sweet dreams are made of this..

[@yc9129]

I'm a labour party member but my local candidate has no chance so I will be voting lib dem just to get the Tories out

[@bertiewooles3093]

Thank you 🧡

[@PollyDayDream]

I'm voting labour as the tactical vote in my area but I'm more in line with lib dems - hope that helps! 😀

[@SharmanSomerset]

would it not make sense for lib dem’s to switch their vote to labour? what’s the point of returning an opposition MP? how will that make a material difference to your constituency?

[@mattedwards365]

@@SharmanSomerset Not everybody is on the same page where tactical voting is concerned. People will vote how they like, so it's best to meet the votes where they are rather than try to convince a larger group of people to switch. Done wrong, this will promote the Spoiler Effect and actually hand a win to the Tories so if the natural vote is for Lib Dems in the area, Labour voters should switch. Side point: A healthier democracy should have a decent opposition. I'd rather the Lib Dems have a louder voice in parliament in opposition than a single super majority.

[@sforoushani1]

​@@mattedwards365 Especially given their manifesto. An opposition voice highlighting the state of public services would be very good right now, I think. Better that than more divisive swipes at culture wars at PMQs.

[@michellej5517]

I’m pleased to see he didn’t bite with the questions about the other parties but stuck to what he & the Lib Dems would do, that in itself was quite refreshing.

[@MzCJ]

I’m 36 and have never voted due to the corruption in the main parties. I’ve literally registered to vote for the first time just so I can vote for Ed Davey and the Lib Dem’s as for the first time, I believe in them. I’d rather try my luck on a party that MIGHT be lying than one its been proven WILL lie like cons or labour. I really appreciate the dems focus on carers, the nhs and proportional representation among other things. I’m in the red wall btw.

[@karenchapmannewton3081]

As my son wrote to me: ‘Thought he sounded like a breath of fresh air for a moment then checked his voting history: constantly voted against raising tax on high earners to fund NHS, voted against higher taxes on 150k+ earners, voted against raising capitals gains tax, voted against stricter fracking regulations voted for academy schools, voted 14 times to reduce corporation tax, voted 13 times for reductions in welfare benefits voted 5 times against paying higher benefits voted for bedroom tax he's voted "correctly" on some things but given his angle at the election it seems like a complete U-turn if he's sincere’

[@spiderfandom7592]

@@karenchapmannewton3081 I would like to hear him address this.

[@MzCJ]

@@karenchapmannewton3081 Thank you for this information, and I also would like to hear him address these issues, but I'd still rather have them as the official opposition than Reform or the Tories, wouldn't you?

[@juffjaff]

Thank you for this interview! Shame the Lib Dems, Greens, etc don't get the TV coverage the Cons and Lab get.

[@davidforbes2795]

Or Reform UK and Farage!!!

[@prodlowd]

Shame that Reform get so much coverage...

[@matthewgregory7898]

Mainly as the media is largely right wing controlled

[@fshoaps]

Lib Dems thanks to Davey are actually getting a fair amount of coverage.

[@janewright2800]

I agree with both above comments

[@pastyman001]

ED's focus on Chalk streams in southern England is key. There are only a 100 odd in the world, most in this regions and a few in Northern France which was once adjoined. The plants and animal life is unique, perfect for Salmonoid fish, the quality of the water should be superb as they are naturally filtered through underground systems. You do not put sewage into them.

[@RoofLight00]

Yep, the one that runs through Carshalton is vitally important to the area and thanks to the tories it’s in an awful state. It’s a small thing but a big local issue that the incumbent Tory drone has been a waste of space on.

[@robbiebennett2231]

I might vote for them based on this alone, thanks.

[@Commanderphil]

Great interview, now people in the south VOTE TACTICALLY

[@user-hp6ls8qy6d]

Yep, vote REFORM.

[@stephenoxf]

@@user-hp6ls8qy6d That isn't tactical unless you live in a white power constituency

[@spiderfandom7592]

@@user-hp6ls8qy6d Yeah no lol. Reform is for daft northerners.

[@xander1052]

@@user-hp6ls8qy6d that's how you let Keir Starmer win 650 seats.

[@derpius3]

for god sake, stop making me love ed davey, i don't know how i feel about the lib dems, but every thing i see is making me love this man

[@ianharding3044]

Great interview. Ed Davey comes across well . The Lib Dem’s need more media exposure as do the other parties. It shouldn’t be just Tories and Labour. There are other choices.

[@Mikey72182]

*I am a green party member, but would happily vote for the Lib Dems than Starmer's Red Tories.*

[@rolandrothwell4840]

I agree, and hope you support the LibDems

[@nickclarkuk]

Ed Davey has said Britain “needs to be back at the heart of Europe” and stressed the Lib Dems “are a pro-European party”. I’m very tempted to vote for them in this alone.

[@malcolm9994]

Bollocks to that idea Remember student fees Bunch of lying sods !

[@karenchapmannewton3081]

As my son wrote to me: ‘Thought he sounded like a breath of fresh air for a moment then checked his voting history: constantly voted against raising tax on high earners to fund NHS, voted against higher taxes on 150k+ earners, voted against raising capitals gains tax, voted against stricter fracking regulations voted for academy schools, voted 14 times to reduce corporation tax, voted 13 times for reductions in welfare benefits voted 5 times against paying higher benefits voted for bedroom tax he's voted "correctly" on some things but given his angle at the election it seems like a complete U-turn if he's sincere’

[@Yourismouter]

@nickclarkuk actually while its noble the Liberal Democrats wanted to stay in the EU and generally be EU Left Reformists or reformists, the UK public or certainly the British public doesn't want the EU and their inability as well as the Greens and Plaid's inability to just move on from that issue will cost them votes or certainly won't help grow their voter base. the fact both parties and their movements pushed Labour to adopt a second referendum stance and the Tories under Boris Johnson won with get Brexit done, and people fed up with the roadblock Labour,Lib-Dems,and whomever supported shows its an issue they need to move on from. now in Scotland or N. Ireland, completely different story.

[@Yourismouter]

@@karenchapmannewton3081 great example of why the electorate or anyone who claims to be a supporter of the Liberal Democrats, Labour, SNP etc needs to look at what the politicians/party DOES and not at face value what they say they do or will do. that said the Lib-Dems at this point would be a far better alternative then the Tories and for people who think Labour or a let down, ...why not give them a chance? but as you've shown...

[@bob1234881]

​@@Yourismouter still better them than the tories. And it assumes the above is correct.

[@damienakatubbyable]

Ed Davey is my Local MP and has always been excellent for the local community so has my full support.

[@pastyman001]

The LibDems have a better programme than Labour raising tax painlessly ( for most people) on NHS, care, the Environment & pollution, plus Green Issues and similar on Industrial Strategy.

[@You-tw4zs]

Liberal politics still benefits the rich. What are the chances Ed Davey is going to renationalise industry? That's what the country needs instead of paying companies even more in grants to do the same thing. Labour aren't great but at least there's more chance of that happening under them.

[@pepsalt]

@@You-tw4zs im not sure there is a chance under this labour. the optimist in me hopes this business-centered center-right-politics is just a facade to win votes for labour but I'm honestly not convinced, I'm not sure who I'll vote for, really; I'd vote for greens but they just hate nuclear power :(

[@You-tw4zs]

​@@pepsalt I'd still take greens over any other party at the moment. If you live in a constituency where labour will likely win vote greens, if not labour is still better than LibDems.

[@pepsalt]

@@You-tw4zs I'm likely going to vote greens yeah, their policy on housing and nuclear power irks me but their drug policy is a massive step in the right direction and it's pretty much the only party that aligns with me (especially as I'm a vegan)

[@supermarionugget8657]

​@@You-tw4zsI feel like the Greens just put cool stuff in their manifesto to win seats tbh.

[@danielbethell246]

Great interview. Voted Labour last four elections but will switch to LibDem at least this time around. Leader of the Opposition Ed Davey?? Unlikely but would be amazing to see happen.

[@Randoman590]

If enough people in the right constituencies vote tactically, it's genuinely on the cards. A lot of the seats the Tories are projected to win according to recent MRP polls are only by margins smaller than the margin of error in polling. That means there are a lot of battleground seats that could flip with just a little push. But it will need to go both ways: LibDem supporters in seats where Labour have the best chance need to vote tactically for Labour, and vice-versa. There may even be a small handful of seats where the strongest candidate is Green.

[@keifer7813]

​@@Randoman590This is forgetting the possibility for the Tories to form a coalition with Reform. That will give them a guaranteed victory if Labour loses a bunch of seats to Lib Dems

[@longnoseboi]

​@@keifer7813labour aren't losing seats to lib dems, the Tories are

[@keifer7813]

@@longnoseboi OP literally just said he's switching from Labour to Lib Dems..

[@robeagleR]

Honestly voting for them for various reasons, 1. To prevent a super Labour Majority (That is a BAD THING regardless of your Politics, nobody should have that Power.) 2. Their stance on Genocide across the world is consistent and ethical. (If you actually look for it of course- they dont get much coverage.)

[@keithmiller1467]

Tory trying to misinformation It's rubbish . No different other than them in 3rd ..hope lib demo get 2nd

[@keifer7813]

Why is a super majority a bad thing? What extra power does it give a party, as opposed to a small or normal majority?

[@xander1052]

@@keifer7813 It makes it harder for party dissent to prevent the will of the Prime Minister to pass regardless of public opinion. Generally our system of government works best with a small government majority or ideally a Minority.

[@keifer7813]

@@xander1052 Why would it make it harder for party dissent? I mean it's not like the leader themselves got a super majority. The party did

[@GameDeveloperTraining]

I like Ed Davey and think it's a shame that he has to bear the cross of Nick Clegg's legacy. Having said that, the tactical vote in my area to rid us of the tories is Labour. So when the country is in better shape, maybe I'll give Lib Dem's another look.

[@targaryen208]

I love Ed Davey's 2024 campaign. Attracts attention with a bit of fun, then once your listening it's clear he has a broad knowledge and a lot of issues he cares about personally. His style of leadership, how he carries himself and how he addresses you has a much more personal feel to Starmer or Sunak. He leads from the front but he's not in it for the glory, and gives plenty of room for proficient deputies like Daisy Cooper and Alex Cole-Hamilton. I regret voting for Jo Swinson as leader in 2019, but glad I got it right with Ed in 2020.

[@tawektawek3838]

I agree. He's also proving to be a very good communicator. He knows his stuff, but is also able to explain issues in simple terms. I think he may turn out to be our best leader since the party's foundation.

[@targaryen208]

@@tawektawek3838 Exactly. Conveying complex issues and policies in simple terms is always a great trait to have. Especially in an election that includes a Farage character, with his easily digestible but ultimately deeply misleading one liners.

[@Steviebond2]

Looking at the comments, it's easy to see that the voters would rather keep a grudge then get rid of the worst government in history. This is what we call a 'stuck-in-the-past' mentality, which is exactly why we get the governments we deserve. :/

[@mattwilmshurst8456]

Tend to agree

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

I'm looking forward to the 5th of July when hopefully we'll have the LibDems standing opposite the the labour party in the HoC as the main opposition party along with the Greens, the SNP and Plaid Cymru.

[@kayedal-haddad]

I hope they win 50+ seats!

[@wumpyjumps]

The more seats, the better shot of being opposition given how terrible the Tories have been doing. People keep saying it would be funny but don't see the benefit: a whole parliament of complaining 6 times a week at PMQs about first past the post!

[@renaultlover1]

Me too but it's very much a southern party and will do well there. I just hope they can win some seats up north too.

[@kayedal-haddad]

@@renaultlover1 they might win two in Scotland and one in Sheffield!

[@leonardochapman4736]

​@@kayedal-haddad yeah I'm in Sheffield and many people are wanting to vote for lib dems in the local elections we chose a Labour mayor and a Green councillor though so who knows

[@mattbibbings]

10 minutes of pure political common sense. I've said this for a while, whatever replaces the tory shitshow we have been enduring, they can ensure they stay in power for a good long while by simply being competent. Not radical or bold or groundbreaking, just plain old competent.

[@yusaki8064]

With what Starmer has done. The LibDems and Labour have switched places on the political spectrum. Labour is now centrist and the LibDems are centre left. I need to check out who’s running in my constituency because I might vote for them.

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Be bold, be proud 👏 vote Liberal Democrats because they are to the left of Labour

[@yusaki8064]

@@rolandrothwell4840 Having a look at the MRP Polls from Spring in my particular constituency, Labour were 5% ahead of the Tories. And the LibDems were a decent way down from the Tories. I think I’m probably gonna vote for them, the Greens don’t stand a chance in my constituency, if my vote can at least help the Lib Dem candidate put a dent in Labour and the Tories numbers, perhaps we can slowly drag the Labour Party back to the left. If nothing else.

[@yusaki8064]

@@rolandrothwell4840 Actually, having checked out who is running for the various parties in my particular constituency, I think I’ll be voting independent rather than Lib Dem. When you can see so much campaigning from certain candidates over others, you can really see who cares more.

[@mowogfpv7582]

A lot of people thought Labour and Lib Dem had swapped places in 2010 and look how that worked out. Talk is cheap.

[@danielthompson2561]

Ed Davey will be better at keeping Labour accountable than whoever takes over after Sunak resign. God forbid, a Johnson or Truss reappearance.

[@ChrisParlett]

Clegg should be in the stocks, not Davey.

[@zacbhumgara]

Ed Davies is one of the only candidate that I can actually see being a good PM

[@user-hp6ls8qy6d]

You need new glasses, then.

[@zacbhumgara]

@@user-hp6ls8qy6d Who would you prefer?

[@deadcat8167]

I was in education when the coalition government gutted funding but I'm willing to forgive them because this new Lib Dem direction is great.

[@Yourismouter]

if people can forgive Labour for all their EPIC crimes against humanity in Britain and the world, I think we can do the same for the Liberal Democrats but they've pivoted hard to the right on a lot of issues but....to be honest their emphasis on social care and the NHS does sound better then Labour, maybe them going into coalition government with Labour or supply/demand would be good.

[@mowogfpv7582]

They haven't actually asked for forgiveness have they? That's probably a prerequisite for receiving it. Labour apologised for Iraq at least four times and elected the president of the stop the war coalition as leader. I've yet to encounter a lib dem who will disown the coalition, let alone apologise for it.

[@Yourismouter]

@@mowogfpv7582 well that's always been my problem of the Liberal Democrats (if I was their political advisor I would suggest they make a point to apologize) and , at least the ones who appear on TV if when confronted by someone in the audience or a junk journalist no matter who opportunist that junk journalist is when confronted about their time in coalition with the Tories instead of just saying they're sorry it was a mistake, they deflect or in the name of SIR Nick Clegg claim they pushed back against some of the more aggressive austerity packages. But Labour at least when Corbyn was leader he did apologize for the Iraq War but that same Labour Party has also inflicted austerity during their time in power, and has a history of supporting other crimes against humanity not just Iraq, and I still think if people can forgive Labour or downright minimize their track record both foreign and domestic then surely we can forgive the Lib-Dems who only on domestic issues I see a lot of positive things, on foreign policy sadly the sun still doesn't set on the British empire it seems...

[@Yourismouter]

@@mowogfpv7582 hmmm my comment seems to have disappeared. Well it was CORBYN when leader that he apologized for the Iraq War but the Labour Party in general isn't sorry about Iraq, hence why Blair got an effing knighthood and he and Cambell and Brown are still in that party and someone like corbyn is given the boot. but you are correct I don't understand why the Liberal Democrats don't simply apologize for propping up a Tory government that unleashed savage austerity which they in theory should be against. If I was an advisor to the party I would certainly suggest they do it. But that said I still find it unfair that Labour can be constantly forgiven for their betrayals of the working class and precarious middle class, their violent foreign policy and the Lib Dems are given a one strike rule. But also sad the Lib Dems on many topics have shifted very right-wing. I do think would be nice if the Lib-Dems and Labour if the situation comes that a coalition government could be formed I think the public would be better served under a Labour/Lib-Dem coalition, and the left faction of both parties push for good policies then a Labour one man show which would be Diet Tory .

[@EdFortune]

Davey as leader of the opposition would be great for this country.

[@LGrian]

Forgiveness is irrelevant. Our politicians need to be held to account at all times, and loudly, not just silently when elections roll around.

[@AvocadoAfficionado]

I think you forget when these clowns got an entire generation to vote for them on the promise of scrapping tuition fees. They then decided to sell us out for MP salaries, tripled the fees and paved the way for our freedom of movement to get taken away. Nevar4get.

[@user-zl8km4sh9p]

Like the Post Office scandal.....

[@torseharris3346]

I really like the way Ed Davey answered the questions by not berating the other politicians but bring the response to his experience and not the glass half empty but glass half full message. Voting Liberal Democrat

[@vishmaster09]

Ed Davey for leader of the opposition!!!!!

[@user-sq7nk9us6f]

Sad that money rules England not idealism or hope or vision. Just old wealthy men who think they know what is good for the people they seek to control.

[@adamhardyman6703]

i love this man

[@user-hp6ls8qy6d]

He's a prat.

[@zoranblackie5921]

Forgiven yes, for pushing socially liberal policies and giving us a PR vote while in coalition, and when the Tories were an actual centre-right party

[@MsPaulathomas]

And agreeing to the beginnings of the priviytisation of the NHS? No not forgiven

[@zoranblackie5921]

@MsPaulathomas To be honest it was Blair and the modernisation movement in the late 90s which enabled contracts to go to private/ independent providers... and it was Andrew Lansley who screwed us royally as Health Secretary

[@LeornianCyng]

Voting Green but Lib Dem’s and Plyd have strong manifestos. All three have very similar policies in a number of areas this time around.

[@avisian8063]

I do not think they need forgiveness. They got a fair few very good policies through that I agree with. Despite being a minority. And im sorry but they definitely tempered the Tories. They chose their battles. The hatred for them is what the Tories wanted and it upsets me that many people fall for that spin and handed us more Tory years as a result

[@tawektawek3838]

I agree. I think most of those bringing up the coalition years are right-wingers, trying to discourage tactical voting against the Tories.

[@DDougz]

Lib Dem for Cannabis Legalisation 💛

[@mattwilmshurst8456]

You got my vote Ed!

[@ardenwarwick1087]

Good interview. I am increasingly tempted by LibDems. Sadly, there can be no forgiveness without repentence, and last I heard Mr Davey has been dodging the idea of being sorry for not only going back on their pledge but for enabling the increase of tuition fees 3fold. I can forgive, if they can admit they did wrong.

[@BoyeeSmudger]

Clegg apologised back in 2012, done a slick video and all, typical Clegh. Pretty sure I've heard others apologise. It came in when I went to uni, so I was also very angry. However, it's been over ten years now.

[@Randoman590]

My understanding of that scenario (which may or may not be correct) was that the Lib Dems made a deal with the Tories: passing the tuition fee raise was the price they had to pay in exchange for getting a referendum on changing the voting system. A nasty faustian bargain, but they apparently deemed it worth the risk, feeling that once the vote passed they would be better positioned in the future. Unfortunately, the Tories then backstabbed them by throwing all of their weight into very aggressively campaigning against the motion, which tipped the scales. So the LibDems suffered the political fallout that they knew would come from breaking their pledge, and didn't even get the long-term reward they did it for.

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

If you can admit you’re getting old holding a grudge for something that happened 14 years ago. There are 18 year olds voting this year who hadn’t started school yet when that happened get with the times please😂😂

[@WastelandSurvival2]

How a politican should act in an interview. To the point & not avoiding questions & acting like a child, got my vote.

[@dylangoddard7449]

Excellent interview

[@FleckerMan]

Great interview

[@martinhommel9967]

Nick Clegg was really a Tory

[@Chris-oz9qx]

So was Jo Swinson and Vince Cable. The lib dems are pretty much John Major conservatives.

[@fenner3655]

They think that internally too… believe me

[@IamStrqngx]

He was a Tory who just happened to like Europe

[@ProsecutorZekrom]

@@IamStrqngxWhich a fair amount of them do given it was Edward Heath’s government who got us in. The EU divide was one of the factors that made it take so long for the party to recover after 1997, because the party had split into the mods and rockers.

[@0w784g]

@@IamStrqngx Like the official Tory position of remain right.

[@jack504]

I'd be quite happy to see lib Dems in opposition with labour in power. Political discussion like PMQs would be vastly improved

[@bapabs]

Good man

[@estebancomulet]

I’d forgotten Davey was a thing till this campaign. His tomfoolery has been entertaining

[@jarrodglover2311]

Would love to see the Liberal Democrats as the opposition holding Labour to account and opposing Labour's embrace of Brexit and anti-immigration rhetoric.

[@paul8161]

I would like to see Ed in no 10..hes got more credibility and real-life experience than the other 2 clowns on tv...and he appears genuine to..a rare trait in a politician these days.

[@tomcoburn5258]

You may not agree with what he stands for but can’t deny he at least outlines the policies with more clarity than Labour and Tories

[@mowogfpv7582]

It's times like this I wish youtube had a laugh reaction.

[@martinwoollett8468]

forgiveness for what? compared to the Tories and labour they have nothing to forgive.

[@afgor1088]

oh well, they're not as bad as tories and labour so why not just let them away with anything...

[@Chris-oz9qx]

If they didn't jump into bed with the Tories in 2010 then we wouldn't have had the last 14 years of sh1t3. Not to mention Jo Swinson did everything she could to discredit Corbyn while he was labour leader even going as far as suggesting any coalition between labour and lib Dems in 2019 couldn't involve the then labour leader.

[@DanCThorpe]

Clegg kept the Tories in power from 2010 to 2015. Unforgivable. Whatever they say now.

[@zooker7938]

It's about what Nick Clegg did. It was a while ago now, so I don't think it's fair to think this is the same Lib Dem party.

[@archvaldor]

@@zooker7938 Ed Davey was a part of the Cameron government. If he had any principles he would have resigned.

[@alfiesmith2510]

I'll forget about it when they pledge to cancel some of the student debt they loaded onto me and my generation.

[@RoofLight00]

They have some good sensible policies including tax reform, environmental policies and legalisation of cannabis via controlled ‘cafe’s’ for example. And in many southern areas they are the alternative to the tories as labour are way behind.

[@michelemartin7276]

Why is it legal for CEO’s to take out huge loans to pay themselves big bonuses? Rather than making an example of the water industry why don’t you mark that illegal for all companies?

[@martinwest7250]

Manifesto stronger than labours for sure.

[@Rich_H_1972]

14 years after propping up the Tories. No, too soon for me. Don't think I'll ever vote for them again and until then they were the only party I'd voted for. Davey is just using the campaign trail to have a bit of a Jolly - every time he's on the news is f*cking about somewhere. Sod 'em.

[@kazamshah4543]

A lot of people were fooled by Clegg. These guys are total charlatans, 14 lousy years of austerity that this guy voted for. What a joke!!!

[@sluglife9785]

Given that the Labour manifesto is as comparatively threadbare as they promised, I'm very tempted by the Lib Dems. Though I'm a bit embarassed about it.

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Don't be embarrassed the LibDems are to the left of Labour on the NHS, social care, and environment! They deserve a chance 😊

[@WastelandSurvival2]

Shouldn't be embarrased, Davey is the only politician in this election that acts like a politician should.

[@94lester]

Was the interviewer the Lib Dem media manager? These weren't even softball questions, they were layups so Ed could say his rehearsed lines.

[@callumwilkinson9966]

Ill be voting lib dem

[@richard766723]

Im a godalminger - tories out !!

[@HALLish-jl5mo]

Forgive them? Let’s look at their transgression: They promised that if elected they would abolish tuition fees. They did not win the election, but they did become the MINOR party in a coalition. The ENTIRE POINT of coalition is that you vote for things you don’t want in exchange for the other party voting for things they don’t want but you do. Obviously they would have to go back on some campaign pledges. They were in coalition with a party that promised massive austerity, tuition fees rising being a part of that. Out of the conservatives they got things like a referendum on the alternative vote, and the legalisation of gay marriage. In exchange some things had to go, tuition fees was a big one. Anyone complaining about ideological purity either doesn’t understand coalitions at the most basic level, or is a Labour plant

[@jackhibbins7312]

Another thing that a lot of people forget when holding grudges against the Lib Dems over the coalition is that there are 2 sides to every story and mainstream media showed very little information on the Lib Dems' side of that story

[@Deimos2k5]

They signed a pledge saying that would NEVER raise tuition fees. Every Lib Dem MP at the time - including Davey - signed it, and then voted to increase fees instead - again, including Davey. Go look it up - it's called the "Vote for Students" pledge It's not a case of promising to do something if in full government, and then compromising in coalition. They literally put their names to a promise to not raise fees and to vote against any law intending to raise them, and then turned around and did it less than six months later. To suggest people who are still mad about this "don't understand coalitions" is ignorant at best, and outright gaslighting at worst.

[@tawektawek3838]

Some of them understand perfectly well, but aren't Labour plants. They are Tory trolls, trying to discourage Labour supporters from tactically voting Lib Dem in seats where Labour can't win.

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

@@Deimos2k5i dont care for thé Lib Dem’s but it seems plain stupid to me that people hold a grudge 14 years later for one policy promise that they broke when their entire occupation is literally famous for lying and every party has broken dozens of promises in the past that have been quickly forgotten about but this particular one is apparently the ultimate evil one that can’t be forgotten

[@galacticpigeon2985]

Forgiveness, man it was how many years ago? Idc how they did as a minority in a coalition a decade ago

[@archvaldor]

It was nine years ago. He voted through some of the worst aspects of austerity after explicitly standing on an anti-austerity platform.

[@galacticpigeon2985]

@@archvaldor You understand how politics works, right? It doesn't matter much what someone votes in parliament unless the vote is free. The role of the lib dems was as a minority in a coalition, they likely conceded on austerity because the government wouldn't budge with the aim of using that good will to push through some other things - if I had to guess.

[@archvaldor]

@@galacticpigeon2985 Yeah they forced the Cameron government to have such left-wing policies....

[@bertiewooles3093]

@@archvaldor Nobody was standing on an anti-austerity platform in 2010. They prevented about an extra £13-15 billion of cuts that were in the Tory 2010 manifesto

[@nl5828]

with the level of student debt that i (and many others) incurred as a result of the lies that this man’s political party in 2010, i absolutely care!

[@paulbo9033]

Damn, this guys origin story got me right in the feels 😢 Meanwhile Starmer: "have i mentioned that my dad was tool maker." 🤦‍♂️

[@mowogfpv7582]

Did he get to the bit where he was happy to spend five years calling David Cameron boss in exchange for a ministerial car?

[@paulbo9033]

@@mowogfpv7582 true. The only truly good option are the Greens.

[@SirWhig-esq.]

Benefit of the doubt

[@insomecc]

Post Office.

[@BaileyMagikz]

Ed Davey: constantly voted against raising tax on high earners to fund NHS, voted against higher taxes on 150k+ earners, voted against raising capitals gains tax, voted against stricter fracking regulations voted for academy schools, voted 14 times to reduce corporation tax, voted 13 times for reductions in welfare benefits voted 5 times against paying higher benefits voted for bedroom tax

[@arthurnewman7461]

DO NOT FORGIVE WHAT THIS MAN DID TO THIS COUNTRY

[@lookslikecrepe]

Would be very nice to see this man in Number 10 one day. Not sure how likely that is, though, going by some poll at least, there is a small chance he might become Leader of the Opposition 🤞🤞🤞

[@tawektawek3838]

He doesn't need to become PM to have massive influence on the country :)

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Ed Davey could be a powerful leader of the opposition

[@MightiiNinja]

I won’t be voting Lib Dems, but I respect Ed’s campaign. He seems quite personable, and came across very reasonable in this interview.

[@jamesbriers696]

Hmm...when you need them you'll forgive them. How long did it take to forgive Blair for Iraq, Jeremy Corbyn for the antisemitism debacle, Jim Callaghan for the Winter of Discontent, Barbara Castle for "In place of Strife", Kinnock for the "taxi's" jibe. Labour rarely forgives, they just conveniently forget.

[@afgor1088]

blair will never be forgiven for Iraq, "antisemitism" under Corbyn was a hoax, jim callaghan is dead, in place of strife was a decent policy and had it been implemented we may have avoided the destruction of trade union power under thatcher

[@zoranblackie5921]

Could be worse, could be the plain lies that successive Tory leaders tell instead of accepting responsibility... as a vaguely middle class person, working in the NHS with a mortgage I will struggle to feel forgiving towards them

[@sasinator6918]

I think the lib dems have a good manifesto, I think i'll be voting gor them.

[@theflightguy8726]

Tactical voting matters naught to me at this point - I cannot in good faith give a vote to any party but the Liberal Democrats by this point

[@kevin9sc]

I find it very difficult to forgive the Lib-Dems for enabling Cameron, and everything that sprang from that. However, anything, ANYTHING, that helps get rid of the Tories (Reform fascists EXCLUDED) is ok by me!

[@animationfanatic2133]

Someone who makes less than 20,000 a year, "a millionaire tax, they're gonna hunt me for sport"

[@jeffreysmith8378]

Thanks for trebling my tuition fees

[@mrgarland5210]

I hope the lib dems do well. They arent going to win outeight but every government needs a strong minded opposition to hold them to account. That's how our system works and wish them all the best.

[@marcustait79]

Why isn’t anyone joining the dots between the housing shortage and the skills shortage? You wouldn’t need to be very imaginative to dream up a government program which tackled both those issues and added massive value to the economy! I suspect the increased standard of living would have far reaching side effects too in terms of health and social wellbeing!

[@afgor1088]

there is not a housing shortage.

[@Lazarusman]

Vote reform 🇬🇧

[@mattwilmshurst8456]

🥱

[@keifer7813]

I want Lib Dems in, but I really want Tories out. Thats the priority so unfortunately, I'll have to settle for Labour

[@iielysiumx5811]

Voting by my conscious I would vote Lib Dem, I like ed Dave and I like their policies but they stand no chance in my constituency so gonna have to vote labour too get the Tory out

[@ryanmichael6592]

That bit about Labours letter is a lie. FYI. The publically available polling also doesn't back that up.

[@mattwilmshurst8456]

No, I received the letter

[@kieronholt5979]

If you wanted to push throughout progressive policies like gay marriage and in return you had to go back on a promise of tuition fees but that every student would get it funded and only pay once they were earning than what would you do

[@distinctdipole]

Here's a radical thought: tax income as income! Doesn't matter the source, it is still income whether you're an individual or a business and taxes paid before dividends. Would also simplify the tax code, resulting in more resource to go after tax crooks. Yes, I know... I can dream!

[@keirmitchell5560]

Stop handing money out to those who dont work might help also.

[@distinctdipole]

@@keirmitchell5560 And what about all those in-work benefits? Sorry, I mean Corporate Welfare so they can pay slave wages!

[@LimeyRedneck]

😶

[@janewright2800]

Ed Davey seems more genuine and policies similiar to Corbyns in 2019

[@TheHonestPeanut]

No, the lib dems need to be held accountable.

[@kazamshah4543]

Exactly. I'd like to be chief prosecuter at their trial!!!!

[@VanlifeByTris]

The answer to the question posed in the the title, is a hard 'No'.

[@thesea4120]

I was affected by the tuition free rises from when they were in a coalition but as someone who finished uni a year ago I think it's time to let that go. Would be interesting to see the Lib Dems as the opposition.

[@moomin3744]

Talk about Starmer Ed, go on Ed talk about Starmer...I dare you ?

[@fintamaria2429]

The one who reaches the top sees those below as insignificant because he doesn't put the brakes on the air, but forgets that the base can shake the top.

[@martinwoollett8468]

what?

[@NeoFighterX]

What have they said about student loans. Cost of living all you want, tuition payment has actually introduced the biggest and most consistent earning disparity for post 2012 students.

[@davidtaylor747]

Why would we forgive them when they were directly asked if they think austerity was a mistake and would not say yes? If they won't say yes then they are saying no, as far as I'm concerned.

[@rafarrance]

Labour's plans in 2010 were also for austerity after the election. But they get given a pass because they went into opposition.

[@phillipspassmore]

I don't think I can ever vote lib dems again after the coalition government. Enabled the terrible austerity politics that has made every working person poorer. I love his campaign, but the Lib Dems cannot be forgiven for what they did.

[@Randoman590]

Why are the Lib Dems being punished so much more harshly than the Tories? For every pledge the Lib Dems have had to compromise on, the Tories have broken another dozen at least, each just as damning if not moreso. I can empathise with and forgive someone who was put in a terrible position. I cannot empathise with and forgive the people who forced that situation upon them.

[@karenchapmannewton3081]

As my son wrote to me: ‘Thought he sounded like a breath of fresh air for a moment then checked his voting history: constantly voted against raising tax on high earners to fund NHS, voted against higher taxes on 150k+ earners, voted against raising capitals gains tax, voted against stricter fracking regulations voted for academy schools, voted 14 times to reduce corporation tax, voted 13 times for reductions in welfare benefits voted 5 times against paying higher benefits voted for bedroom tax he's voted "correctly" on some things but given his angle at the election it seems like a complete U-turn if he's sincere’

[@crayontom9687]

No. Fool me once etc. I also don’t vote Labour now (at least not centrist Labour) so that leaves the Greens and independents. Seeing as neither of these two options are likely to wield any power in our system, it looks like I’m stuck voting this way for the foreseeable

[@anthonyexmouth]

really sucks that the LibDems are to the left of Labour now. Starmer and Streeting are untrustworthy centrist goons.

[@zoranblackie5921]

Though if Libs were to be in coalition with Labour (as they have refused Tories/ Reform) then our PR dream may come true after all... just sayin'

[@anthonyexmouth]

@@zoranblackie5921 there's a non zero chance LibDems will be the opposition party and Tories relegated to the cheap seats.

[@ProsecutorZekrom]

@@zoranblackie5921They could also end up displacing tories as the opposition

[@zoranblackie5921]

@@ProsecutorZekrom Don't tease me with utopian fantasies...

[@andybyrne50]

Won’t forget that he was a massive part of the post office scandal . This lot soon fell into bed with the Tories !

[@rafarrance]

He was a really small part of the Post Office scandal. He trusted his civil servants and to be fair wouldn't have expected to have become a secretary of state going into the 2010 election. Unlike if he had been from 1 of the 2 big parties wouldn't have had meetings with officials to prepare him for Government going into the election.