Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey declared his party a "firewall" against Nigel Farage and the Reform party as the Liberal Democrats' autumn conference began in Brighton. Sir Ed adopted a more combative tone, directly addressing recent criticisms that the party was struggling for relevance and being too polite.

Speaking on Brighton Beach, Sir Ed framed the Liberal Democrats' role as crucial in preventing what he described as a "Trump satellite state." He warned that an "unholy alliance" between Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage could lead to such an outcome, potentially damaging the NHS, the environment, and traditional British values.

Sir Ed highlighted the party's readiness for a potential snap election, stating that a manifesto working group has already been established. He expressed confidence that the Liberal Democrats could build upon their 2024 success, aiming to win "many more seats" and further strengthen their "orange wall" of support, a term often used to describe their stronghold in southern England.

The Liberal Democrat leader emphasized the party's unique position in British politics, aiming to challenge both Reform and the Conservatives. He pointed to the focus on the NHS and the ambition to rejoin the EU's single market and customs union as key policy differentiators. The four-day conference is intended to solidify this positioning.

Recent polling indicated that 43% of respondents were unclear about the Liberal Democrats' core principles, with just over half describing the party as "weak." This comes amid internal criticism, such as that from South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage, who urged the party to "rediscover its insurgent spirit" rather than being "polite custodians."

Sir Ed dismissed these concerns, reiterating his belief in the party's distinctiveness. He drew attention to the number of Conservative defectors to Reform, suggesting that both parties were increasingly focused on division rather than problem-solving.

He warned that an "unholy alliance" between Farage and Badenoch was the "only way" either could gain power. This potential partnership, he argued, would "trash our NHS, turn our communities against each other, cause untold damage to our environment, and trample over traditional British values."

The Liberal Democrats aim to present themselves as the sole barrier against what Sir Ed termed this "dangerous experiment," vowing to defend and win seats that could otherwise fall to Reform or the Conservatives.