Budget Responses from the Lib Dems
Sir Ed Davey’s Budget speech in Parliament
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey responded to the 2026 Budget by arguing that any economic package is merely "tinkering around the edges" unless the government has the courage to fix the UK's trading relationship with the European Union:
- EU Relations: Davey stated that the budget will ultimately be defined by Labour's red lines on Europe and suggested that the only major lever worth pulling to generate real, lasting growth is joining the EU's single market and customs union.
- Root Causes: He argued that the fundamental drivers of the UK's economic issues—including high taxes, broken public services, a struggling cost-of-living crisis, and a lack of jobs—stem directly from an absence of economic growth rather than short-term budget adjustments.
- Broader Opposition Context: He characterized the chancellor's announcements as lacking ambition or failing to tackle deep structural challenges.
Check out this video of Ed Davey's Speech in Parliament on the Budget
This is the speech on Instagram
The Lib Dem Spokesperson, MP James MacCleary call out the Labour Government on defence
Responding to reports that the Government will cut MoD day-to-day funding by almost £1 billion next year, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson James MacCleary MP said: "It is disgraceful that after pitching Labour as serious on defence, Healey and Streeting are cutting the military's resource budget by nearly £1 billion next year. This will leave our troops worse off and undermine our security. Shameful.”
Check out the press release from James
Budget's £190m for the NHS would run the health service for just eight hours, Lib Dems warn
The Liberal Democrats have warned that today's Budget fails to tackle the “fundamental” NHS crisis, noting that the £190 million allocated for winter pressures covers barely eight hours of spending. The Budget contained nothing new on doctors, nurses, dentists or maternity care. Instead it offered a promise to "explore opportunities to support", another independent review, and an AI challenge prize that is not solely for health.
Davey: Govt could end cost of living crisis and cut people's taxes by ditching red lines on Europe
Responding to the Chancellor's Autumn Budget, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “After years of government chaos and failure, we can only end the brutal cost of living crisis and fix broken public services if we get the economy growing. “We need a real growth plan with Europe at its heart. Labour must fix the Conservatives' botched Brexit deal by joining the single market and a customs union, using the billions that it raises to cut people's taxes and cut people’s bills. “Until the Government plucks up the courage to do that, any Budget will just tinker around the edges.”