Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is set to target Reform UK and the Conservatives as his party gathers in Brighton for its autumn conference.
Davey will argue that Nigel Farage’s route to Downing Street runs through areas where the Liberal Democrats are seeking to strengthen their support — what the party describes as its “Orange Wall”.
He is also expected to accuse the Conservatives of moving closer to Reform UK, while using the conference to focus on the cost of living and pressures facing small businesses.
Ahead of the gathering, Davey visited a fish and chip shop in Brighton, using the cost of a traditional takeaway to highlight his argument that families are being squeezed financially.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Davey said:
“While families are struggling to afford the basics and small businesses are being crippled by this government, the Conservatives and Reform can only offer anger, and division.
“An unholy alliance between Farage and Badenoch is the only way either can get into power. Together, they want to turn Britain into a Trump satellite state which would trash our NHS, turn our communities against each other, cause untold damage to our environment, and trample over traditional British values of fairness, tolerance, and decency.
“A bigger Orange Wall is the only thing that can stand between Britain and this dangerous experiment, and we will not let them pass. Liberal Democrats are the only party with a plan to take the brakes off the British economy, get money back into people’s pockets, and defend the traditional values that make our country great.
“Britain feels broken because it’s being held back. This conference, we’ll be setting out our vision to fix our broken politics and change our country for the better.”
Davey is also due to address the party’s rally on Saturday evening under the theme “Why I Care, Why I Fight”.
In extracts of the speech released in advance, Davey is expected to say:
“As Liberals, we believe in the intrinsic worth of every single human being. And we are willing to fight for it…
“When we see injustice, when we see human dignity under attack, we do not look away. We stand up. We care. And we fight…
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