Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, sharply criticizes Nigel Farage and Reform UK, accusing them of dividing the nation and mirroring Donald Trump’s admiration for Vladimir Putin. Speaking at the party’s Scottish conference in Edinburgh, Davey equates Reform’s vision to a British version of ‘Trump’s America’ and vows that Liberal Democrats will oppose such influences.
Reform UK Draws Parallels to Trump Era
Davey asserts that Reform UK seeks to import elements of Trump’s America, including private healthcare, relaxed gun laws, and growing authoritarian tendencies, to Scotland and the UK. ‘They want to divide people, not bring people together,’ he declares. He portrays Farage as viewing Trump as an ‘inspiration’ and ‘role model,’ while Liberal Democrats regard the US president’s behavior with ‘horror.’
Amid reports of low morale among up to half of the party’s 72 MPs—following their strong 2024 election performance—Davey aims to rally support. Party insiders note concerns over failing to counter rivals like Reform and the Greens, with one stating last month, ‘Morale is low… We need to be a bit more serious about being the third party.’
Blame Shared Across Major Parties
Davey holds Labour, Conservatives, and SNP accountable for Reform’s rise. Labour promised change but delivered ‘a mess,’ he claims. Conservatives eroded trust through scandals. In Scotland, the SNP— in power since 2007—faces criticism for scandals and failures in NHS, social care, education, economy, environment, cost of living, and the ferries debacle. ‘They have been in government for far too long,’ Davey states.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton describes the party as the ‘antidote to Reform.’
Push to Sue Trump Over Trade Tariffs
Davey urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to sue US President Donald Trump for $100 billion in damages from trade tariffs imposed last April, now overturned by the US Supreme Court. Labeling Trump the ‘most dangerous, damaging US president of modern times,’ Davey says, ‘My advice today to Keir Starmer is to sue Donald Trump for $100bn dollars for the damage he has caused to Scotland and our country. It’s the only language he understands.’
He criticizes Starmer’s negotiations as ineffective, insisting, ‘You can’t kowtow to a bully.’ Davey praises Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for standing firm and advocates alternatives like a new EU-UK customs union and deals with Commonwealth nations such as Canada. ‘We cannot let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain,’ he emphasizes.
