Lib Dem MP Charlie Maynard quits frontbench over Ed Davey
Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard resigned from his Treasury spokesperson role on Friday, stating he wants Sir Ed Davey replaced as party leader.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Witney MP Charlie Maynard resigns as Treasury spokesperson
- Maynard seeks replacement for party leader Sir Ed Davey
- Alison Bennett also resigned from her care spokesperson role this week
- Party won 72 seats in the 2024 general election under Davey
Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard has stepped down from his position on the party's frontbench, signaling a push for leadership change within the party. First reported by the Financial Times, the Witney MP officially left his post as Treasury spokesman on Friday.
Insiders close to Sir Ed Davey privately acknowledge the existence of a small faction of Liberal Democrat MPs who remain dissatisfied with his leadership, with Maynard publicly identified among them.
Deputy party leader Daisy Cooper responded to the resignation by emphasizing party unity. She stated that the overwhelming majority of MPs continue to back Sir Ed to lead them into the next election and are frustrated by the internal distraction.
"The vast majority of our MPs support Ed, want him to lead the party into the next election, and are furious at this distraction."
Daisy Cooper
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Maynard secured his Oxfordshire seat in 2024 by flipping a traditional Conservative constituency held previously by David Cameron, winning by a majority exceeding 4,000 votes. Prior to his parliamentary career, he managed an international mergers and acquisitions advisory firm.
Charlie Maynard's resignation highlights ongoing internal tensions within the Liberal Democrats following their historic gains in the 2024 general election. Despite securing 72 seats, the party has struggled to maintain momentum in opinion polls, and disagreements over policies such as the state pension triple lock have fueled broader debates regarding Sir Ed Davey's long-term strategic direction.
His departure marks the second frontbench resignation for the party within the week, following Alison Bennett's decision to step down from her role as spokesperson for care and carers.
Source: BBC Politics
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