Polls Suggest Party Could Win 52 Seats as They Target Tory Strongholds

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has reaffirmed the party’s strategy to focus on taking Conservative seats in the upcoming General Election, rather than directly competing with Labour. Cooper told the PA news agency that the Tories’ handling of public life has left them vulnerable, and the Lib Dems are determined to capitalize on this by challenging them in key constituencies.

“We have always said that our goal is to remove as many Conservative MPs as possible,” Cooper said. “We’re in second place in around 80 seats across the country, and we’ve concentrated our resources on those areas where we can make the biggest impact.”

An MRP poll has forecast that the Lib Dems could win 52 seats, with a projected 13.5% of the vote share, a significant rise from the 11 seats they secured in 2019. Despite the upbeat projections, Cooper refused to speculate on what would be considered a success, stating that each additional Liberal Democrat MP would help further the party’s core issues, particularly in areas like the NHS, social services, and the growing raw sewage crisis.

The party has been making waves with a series of high-profile stunts, led by party leader Sir Ed Davey, aimed at drawing attention to their campaign. These include bungee jumps, roller-coaster rides, and various watersports – often with Davey taking a plunge into water. According to Cooper, these stunts are designed to highlight the party’s serious commitments.

“For example, when Ed fell off the paddleboard, it was a visual message about our pledge to end raw sewage dumping,” Cooper explained. “These stunts are light-hearted, but the underlying message is serious. We want to highlight the pressing issues affecting the country, like mental health in schools and the environmental crisis.”

Cooper also pointed to stunts like knocking down blue dominoes and bricks, symbolising the party’s focus on dismantling the Conservative dominance. She acknowledged the difficult decisions the Liberal Democrats made during their coalition with the Tories, but emphasized that voters are now seeing the consequences of Tory rule.

“People will go to the polls tomorrow acutely aware of the state of the NHS, the cost-of-living crisis, and environmental degradation under Conservative rule,” she said. “The Conservatives have destroyed standards in public life, and the public is fed up with the scandals and sleaze. That will be at the forefront of voters’ minds when they head to the polls.”

As the General Election approaches, the Liberal Democrats are hoping to capitalize on growing discontent with the Tories and attract voters who are eager for change.