Ed Davey to urge Lib Dems ‘to finish the job’ and overtake the Tories

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Let’s finish the job.” It comes as senior sources in the party have made it clear that while the Lib Dems outperformed their wildest dreams in this year’s election, they have “far from maxed out” in taking seats from the Conservatives, who were reduced to a historic low of 121 seats. Mr Farron said: “It shows that Reform voters will not just go back to the Tories, and many of them could come over to us.” The Lib Dems also believe the Conservatives are in a perilous position with their long, drawn-out leadership contest, which could cement the party’s decline if they get it wrong. Lib Dems want Kemi Badenoch to win the Tory leadership contest As the Lib Dem conference took place, Tory leadership contender Tom Tugendhat put out polling that showed he had a +16 rating among Lib Dem voters. And when the country needs an opposition to scrutinise next month’s Budget, surely it’s not a job for the Tory geniuses who cheered Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng to the rafters.” Referring to the Conservative leadership candidates, Sir Ed is expected to say: “Just look at the quartet heading to Birmingham in a fortnight to audition for the job of Conservative leader.