This year is ‘a huge chance’ for Libdems

SIR Ed Davey hopes the “deeply depressing” General Election will present a “huge opportunity” for the Liberal Democrats in 2020.

The party’s acting leader has urged members to go beyond their opposition to Brexit and “shake up the system” in a bid to tackle social injustice, create opportunity and act on climate change.

His new year’s message comes shortly after the Lib Dems won 11 seats at the election – one fewer than 2017.

In his message, former minister Sir Ed said: “Last December’s election was, on several levels, deeply depressing.

“But flip it over. There’s actually a huge opportunity here for us, the Liberal Democrats.

“Of course, we’ve a job to do, continuing to oppose Brexit, to remain Britain’s leading pro-european, internationalist party.

“Yet that’s never been our sole purpose, has it? Liberalism is so much more.

“We’ve always been a party determined to shake up the system, socially, economically, politically, environmentally.

“We know Liberal Democrats care passionately about tackling social injustice, creating opportunity, beating climate change.

“The question for 2020 is can we show all that to the rest of the UK, our full Liberal purpose?”