The Liberal Democrats will once again be the third largest party in Parliament – a position they have not held since 2015 – after winning 71 seats at the General Election
Sir Ed Davey admitted ‘it’s always great to beat Conservatives’ (
Image: PA)
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey hailed a “record-breaking” success at the General Election after the party scooped its highest number of seats ever.
The Lib Dems will once again be the third largest party in Parliament – a position they have not held since 2015. The party won 71 seats, beating a previous record of 62 under Charles Kennedy’s leadership in 2005. They won 11 seats at the 2019 election.
Sir Ed’s party ousted four Cabinet ministers and denied the Tories success in constituencies held by ex-PMs David Cameron and Theresa May.
Among the biggest blows was in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where the Lib Dems ousted Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, and Ely and East Cambridgeshire, where Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer lost the vote. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan lost in Chichester, West Sussex, while Science Secretary Michelle Donelan lost in Melksham and Devizes, Wiltshire.
Sir Ed took part in a series of wacky stunts to promote his policies during the election campaign
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Image:
PA)
Sir Ed said: “This is a record-breaking night for the Liberal Democrats. We have swept to victory in seats from Land’s End to John O’Groats. I am humbled by the trust that millions of people across the country have put in us.” He added: “It’s always great to beat Conservatives.”
The party leader on Friday celebrated the result at an election party in central London, dancing and singing to Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. It marked the end to a lively campaign where Sir Ed took part in a series of wacky stunts to promote his policies.
They included paddleboarding on Lake Windermere to elevate plans to crack down on illegal sewage dumping. Another saw Sir Ed do a bungee jump as he asked people to “take the plunge” and vote Lib Dem. He joked that he “didn’t even have to paraglide in” when a supporter shouted “we love you Ed”.
Sir Ed was also praised during the campaign after releasing a “deeply moving” video showing him caring for his disabled son, which emphasised the need for carers’ rights not to be neglected. He vowed his party’s first campaign will be “for an emergency budget for health and care”.
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