Political

An excellent quick-fire Q+A with Ed Davey and Layla Moran

This moring’s Politico London Playbook email contains a very useful quick-fire Q&A with the candidates to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats:

LIB DEMISTRY: The Lib Dem leadership race is finally out the blocks after voting opened this week, giving members until August 26 to cast their ballots. Playbook asked the two candidates to make their pitch to the Lib Dem faithful in a quick-fire Q&A. They appear in alphabetical order to avoid squabbles.

THE ED DAVEY PITCH: “The Liberal Democrats need a leader with experience, vision and judgment to take on the big challenges we face as a party and as a country. I’m an economist with a track record of creating green jobs, and winning elections and I think that’s what we need right now!”

Key pledge: “To implement the election review in full, so that we never again go into a general election without the strong foundations necessary to help our campaigners win. You can have all the good policy you like; if it’s built on sand it won’t do you any good.”

Should the UK rejoin the EU? “I’ll always believe our best place is in the EU, but our job now is to convince the country of that. If the opportunity ever arises for us to rejoin, and we can take the public with us, I’ll be at the frontline of that fight.”

Fun fact: “When I was at school, Ed Balls was the year below me and I once lent him my O-level history notes. He never gave them back.”

Best thing about your opponent: “Layla’s willingness to speak out about her own life experiences is refreshing. I know how difficult it can be to decide to share part of your own private experiences so I admire her for that.”

THE LAYLA MORAN PITCH: “The Liberal Democrats are at 6 percent in the polls and we need to change. I am the candidate who can move us on from the last decade, credibly put forward a positive, progressive vision and rebuild trust with a broad base of voters.”

Key pledge: “To change and renew our party, so that we can win again at every level, and build a fairer, greener, more compassionate society for all communities in our country.”

Should the UK rejoin the EU? “I would love to rejoin the EU, and I believe we will in years to come, but we must make the positive case to the public and win the hearts and minds of voters first. In the short term, my priority is to work cross-party to prevent a devastating no-deal Brexit at the end of the year.”

Fun fact: “I love karaoke and my go-to songs are Eternal Flame and Sweet Child of Mine. I’m a grade eight singer and cellist (and played in an orchestra many years ago!)”

Best thing about your opponent: “Ed is a stalwart of the party. He’s liberal through and through and a tenacious campaigner. He never gives up!”

Ballot papers are now going out. If you’ve not yet received yours, there’s information here on when to expect it and what to do if it doesn’t arrive.

You can sign up to Politico‘s email newsletters here and for a longer quizzing of the candidates, see the LBC debate.

Listen to the Liberal Democrats and British politics being discussed by myself and a wide range of experts from inside and outside the party on my podcast, Never Mind The Bar Charts.

3 responses to “An excellent quick-fire Q+A with Ed Davey and Layla Moran”

  1. Both have far too much baggage, will be picked off on Day 1 of the campaign.
    I will therefore be abstaining.
    Why or why do we persist in having to have an MP as Party Leader, there are much better candidates outside Westminster.
    If you get that system changed it will, I submit, benefit all of us.

  2. Baggage.? Someone with no baggage hasn’t been anywhere or done anything worthwhile.
    Ed’s experience is an onerous weight on him, we need fresh thoughts and drive of Layla.
    The public will take note of us if we elect Layla.. membership will fall away with Ed, he is past his best..

  3. Both candidates are very clear that we need to take the electorate with us and I agree. So, for me, it is critical that we elect the leader who is going to have most impact on the public stage.
    Ed is very solid, a tireless campaigner with the essential skills and experience the party needs. But he comes across a bit dull and earnest.
    Layla has an outgoing personality and political drive that I believe will resonate well with the electorate and the media.
    In US terms, for me the ticket is Moran-Davey

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