Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey rejected claims that his party is losing relevance, dismissing criticism from MP Roz Savage who wrote that the Lib Dems were "struggling for relevance" ahead of the party's annual conference. Speaking whilst serving fish and chips on Brighton's Palace Pier, Davey called for a 10p reduction in fuel duty to address cost of living pressures and argued that his party remains the "most united" in British politics, citing their record of winning local council elections.

A recent Ipsos poll presents a challenging picture for the party, revealing that only half of previous Lib Dem voters would support them at the next election, with the party currently polling at just 9 per cent nationally in fourth place. The research also showed Prime Minister Andy Burnham enjoys twice the popularity with his supporters compared to Davey. In response, Davey suggested that Lib Dem MPs, including Savage, experience frustration upon realising the limits of what they can achieve within the political system, whilst pledging to pursue systemic changes and criticising the £72 million in donations Reform has received from crypto billionaires and influence from figures such as Elon Musk.