Ed Davey expands Liberal Democrat frontbench team as party takes fight to Farage and Reform

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced a new, expanded frontbench team as his party takes the fight to Nigel Farage and Reform.

As part of the changes to their frontbench team, the Liberal Democrats have created new spokesperson roles for migration, schools, cancer care, rural affairs and a Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. It comes after Ed Davey used his conference speech to criticise Farage’s record of failure on immigration, his attacks on children with special educational needs and Reform’s platforming of conspiracy theories on vaccines causing cancer.

Lisa Smart has taken on a new senior role as Cabinet Office spokesperson, shadowing the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in a cross-departmental role supporting Ed Davey on strategy and preparations for the next general election. Max Wilkinson has taken over from her as the new Home Affairs spokesperson. Jess Brown-Fuller has been appointed as Justice Spokesperson, replacing Josh Babarinde who has stepped down to focus on his candidacy for Party President.

The changes to the top team come following a year in which the Liberal Democrats secured their best-ever results at the local elections, beating the Conservatives and Labour for the first time ever. The party’s record 72 MPs have also secured major concessions from the government including better support for family carers, solar panels on every new home and free school meals for every child in poverty.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Our expanded frontbench team will take the fight to Nigel Farage and stop him turning Britain into a version of Trump’s America.

“I am so proud of our whole team of 72 Liberal Democrat MPs who are working tirelessly to deliver real change, stand up for our communities and hold this Labour government to account.

“With Labour failing to deliver and the Conservatives in freefall, it falls to us to take on Reform and stand up for British values of decency, tolerance and the rule of law.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Liberal Democrat Commons Frontbench Team: libdems.org.uk/people