Davey: Lib Dems are the ‘antidote' to right-wing populism
Sir Ed Davey has described the Liberal Democrats as the 'antidote to right-wing populism'.
The Lib Dem leader said Reform UK wants to 'lick the boots of Donald Trump' as he answered questions from members at the party's spring conference in Harrogate.
Sir Ed said 'we shouldn't be complacent' about Nigel Farage and 'the things he says, how he divides people', which is 'anathema to us'.
A top morning with some brilliant young carers from Harrogate and Sheffield.
We had a good chat, decorated a few biscuits—and I'm happy to report no one crumbled under the pressure. 🍪 pic.twitter.com/PrXU4eEiNW
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) March 22, 2025
He added: 'Essentially, my argument is that we are the antidote to right-wing populism. Liberalism is the antidote.
'It's the opposite of … people like Trump and Farage and his ilk, whether it's Marine Le Pen or the AfD in Germany or Orban in Hungary, the whole cabal of them.'
'And we have got to do as much as we can. The responsibility on us is greater than I can ever remember, because other parties who used to be strong in our country aren't speaking out.'
He said the 'danger' of Reform UK means 'we have got a job on our hands'.
He added: 'Friends, I know we're up for it. I know you're up for it. We have to be the ones pushing back against its populism.'
He also said Reform UK wants to 'lick the boots of Donald Trump'.
'Let's remember the radical nature of Reform. They want to lick the boots of Donald Trump. They want Trump America here in the UK. And I think it's our job to point that out to people on the doorstep,' he added.
He said Mr Farage is 'not a radical reformer', but is 'betraying what Britain stands for'.
Sir Ed labelled Kemi Badenoch's recent declaration that reaching net zero emissions by 2050 is not possible as 'defeatism'.
He said: 'Now, to be fair to her, she's not saying … that it's not happening. She just says it's all too difficult to sort it out by 2050.
'Now that is just defeatism … the Conservative Party is not prepared to have that ambition to get this done when it is so important, existential to our world.'
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