UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey warned Nigel Farage could create a “Trump-style” Britain, rolling back gun laws and threatening rights, urging voters to act.
As reported by The Independent, Ed Davey warned that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as PM could force British children to undergo mass shooting drills.
Ed Davey’s views on Nigel Farage’s plans for Britain
In a keynote address, Ed Davey accused Nigel Farage of planning to roll back firearms laws and adopt policies similar to US President Donald Trump.
During the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth, he claimed Mr Nigel Farage stood with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk.
He positioned the Liberal Democrats as the key force to prevent Reform UK from gaining power.
The Lib Dems leader said,
“Nigel Farage asks ‘whose side are you on?’ Well we know the answer. Nigel Farage is on the side of Elon Musk, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Liberal Democrats are on the side of the British people. Because, unlike Farage, I actually love Britain. I’m proud of our country.”
Mr Davey went on to describe what Britain might look like under Mr Farage,
“Imagine living in the Trump-inspired country Farage wants us to become. Where there’s no NHS, so patients are hit with crippling insurance bills. Or denied healthcare altogether.”
He stated,
“Where we pay Putin for expensive fossil fuels and destroy our beautiful countryside with fracking – while climate change rages on. Where gun laws are rolled back, so schools have to teach our children what to do in case of a mass shooting. Where social media barons are free to poison young minds with impunity.”
Mr Davey also warned that under Mr Farage, the government would
“trample on our basic rights and freedoms, unconstrained by the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The Lib Dems leader cautioned that under Mr Farage,
“Andrew Tate is held up as an example to young men, racism and misogyny receive tacit support from those in power, and everything is in a constant state of chaos.”
Mr Davey said,
“That is Trump’s America. Don’t let it become Farage’s Britain.”
He used Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s hesitance to challenge figures like Mr Trump and Mr Musk to present himself as anti-populist, focusing heavily on Mr Farage in his address.
His remarks focused heavily on President Trump, citing him 24 times, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch mentioned just once.
Mr Davey slammed the BBC for favouring coverage of Mr Farage and Reform UK, despite their small parliamentary presence compared with the Liberal Democrats’ 72 seats.
He concluded his Lib Dem conference speech with a patriotic appeal, declaring his love for Britain and the union flag while urging voters to support his vision of a country defined by “the Lionesses, fish and chips, and village greens.”
Mr Davey said,
“We shouldn’t lose sight of the many incredible strengths this United Kingdom has going for it. The best farmers, carmakers and universities in the world. The place Hollywood comes to make Barbie, Spider-Man and Mission Impossible. The land of the Lionesses and the home of Formula One.”
He stated,
“Windermere and Loch Ness. Male voice choirs and Hogmanay. County shows and school fairs. Fish and chips. Village greens and cricket pavilions. And let me tell you – the best rollercoasters and waterslides on the planet.”
The Lib Dems leader said,
“So much to celebrate about our country. But above all, our strength lies in the British people and our shared British values. We are a nation that believes in tolerance, decency, and respect for both individual freedom and the rule of law. That is our United Kingdom.”
How did Nigel Farage hit back at Ed Davey’s conference speech?
Reform UK dismissed Ed Davey’s claims, stressing that looser gun laws are not party policy, and accused him of “squandering his moment with madness.”
Nigel Farage posted on X,
“Just watching poor Ed Davey speak. He is obsessed with me. I am happy to pay for a psychiatrist.”
Just watching poor Ed Davey speak. He is obsessed with me. I am happy to pay for a psychiatrist.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) September 23, 2025
What did Vince Cable say in defence of Ed Davey?
Ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable defended Sir Ed’s remarks, describing his rhetoric as “entirely reasonable.”
He added,
“Farage’s weakness is close links to Trump and social media oligarchs. We must stand up to them especially as Starmer has opted for vassal statehood.”
What did Luke Tryl say about Nigel Farage’s PM chances?
Luke Tryl, the executive director of More in Common UK, stated,
“Only 13 per cent of Britons are confident Keir Starmer will remain in post after the next election, while a striking 41 per cent say they simply don’t know what the next elected government will look like.”
He added,
“In fact, the public rate Nigel Farage’s chances of becoming prime minister as highly as those of the current PM, with Reform voters particularly convinced their man will be walking into Downing Street. It’s yet another sign of the Reform leader’s ability to cast a political shadow far larger than his party’s presence in Westminster.”
MPs of Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats
Reform UK has 5 MPs and is led in Parliament by Nigel Farage, holding less than 1% of seats.
The Liberal Democrats have 72 MPs, led by Ed Davey. Reform UK is considered a small party, while the Lib Dems are the third-largest party with an official opposition role.