Share this post:

The battle against Reform UK is shaping up to be the Liberal Democrats’ mission for the future, judging by the mood of the party’s conference in Bournemouth.

Day Three also saw the party staking out positions on technology and foreign affairs.

Social media health warnings

First came cigarette-style health warnings for teenagers on social media.

Lib Dem technology spokesperson Victoria Collins called excessive screen time a “public health crisis”, likening addictive algorithms to cigarettes or alcohol.

Alongside warnings, the party wants a two-hour “doomscrolling cap” on TikTok-style apps for under-18s.

Labour has been mulling similar limits – but has so far failed to legislate.

The Tories have pushed for smartphone bans in schools.

So the Lib Dem proposal is sharper – but whether it’s enforceable is another matter.

Attacking Trump favouritism

Then came foreign policy fireworks. Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller accused Labour ministers of trying to “curry favour” with Donald Trump by lobbying for his Turnberry golf course to host the Open Championship.

He demanded the government’s new Ethics and Integrity Commission make this its first case.

Labour insists such contact with sporting bodies is “business as usual” – but the optics are grubby.

Picking a fight with Farage

Finally, Ed Davey set out the moral pitch: the Lib Dems must stop Nigel Farage.

Warning that Reform UK could turn the UK into “Trump’s America”, he insisted his party offers the real “radical change” in line with “British values”.

Critics might point out that Reform is topping polls while the Lib Dems are not.

But with Lego “plastic patriot” Farage figurines circulating at conference, the Lib Dems clearly want blood.

Analysis

The Lib Dems are trying to re-define themselves – as the credible anti-Farage, anti-Reform UK party.

Labour is paralysed – torn between chasing Reform voters and pretending Farage isn’t a threat, its tactic of imitating Reform isn’t fooling anyone.

What’s really surprising is that the Tories have barely featured in Bournemouth’s debates, despite being the LDs’ traditional adversary; both parties tend to chase the same voters – well-to-do middle- and upper-class citizens, industrialists and other businesspeople.

Perhaps that is the most revealing take-out from the conference so far: that Reform is now considered the new right-wing menace as the Tories continue to collapse.

Share this post: