Headlines going into the Liberal Democrat conference were dominated by questions over the leadership of Sir Ed Davey. Despite frustrations being voiced externally, internal conversations were largely supportive of the party leader, with deputy leader Daisy Cooper also going on camera to back him. Coming out the other side, it is apparent in the media that some of those questions remain, but there is no immediate challenge emerging for the party leadership.
Sir Ed aside, it is difficult not to think that the Liberal Democrats are still lacking a central message. It was clear from MPs at conference that they want to be taken seriously as a party, yet they are still struggling to produce the kind of defining statements or headlines that cut through with the public and build an obvious political identity.
Davey places considerable importance on preventing a Reform government and presented this as a key role for the Liberal Democrats. While tactical voting could play a substantial part in the next election, a “vote for us because we’re not them” approach is unlikely to greatly expand the party’s supporter base and hardly a policy to build a campaign around.
One of the final events of the Liberal Democrat conference is Glee Club. For those who have never attended before, I strongly encourage you to do so. What you see there is a side of the party that is rarely visible in the public eye.
The Liberal Democrats have long positioned themselves as a sensible centrist choice, rarely shouting particularly loudly about their policies or ideas, aside from the occasional intervention on Brexit. Yet, in a political environment where those who speak loudest increasingly capture public attention, it is difficult not to wonder whether they are missing a trick.
At Labour conference, disparaging remarks about the Conservatives featured throughout many of the keynote speeches. The Liberal Democrats, by contrast, were consistently more restrained, aside from some criticism of the current Labour Government. Attend Glee Club, however, and this changes completely. The party suddenly appears more radical, energetic, and “fun”, expressing views on the failings of previous governments in a manner rarely heard outside the room. Find the lyrics to Ode to Liz Truss or The 12 Days of Coalition, and the more humorous side of the party quickly becomes apparent.
While Glee club may detract from the serious image the party wants to portray, the Liberal Democrats might also find it easier to cut through politically if the public saw the more vocal side of them. In a political environment where the loudest voices now so often command the greatest attention, the Liberal Democrats risk being overlooked if they continue to remain quiet and restrained.
Opportunities nevertheless lie ahead for the party. The next election may well produce a hung parliament, and the Liberal Democrats could find themselves part of discussions over the formation of a government, particularly given areas of policy overlap with Labour. While Davey has refused to rule out joining a coalition, he has also said he does not want the Liberal Democrats to be merely a junior coalition partner. To move beyond that position, however, the party will need to establish a clearer identity of its own and shout louder about what it stands for.
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