Liberal Democrats Urge Tactical Vote to Block Reform in 2026 Elections

On Thursday, 5 May 2026, over 5,000 council seats across England will be contested. The Liberal Democrats target overall control of five new councils—East Surrey, West Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex and Huntingdonshire—and present themselves as the main obstacle to the Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage.

The Guardian

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey frames the contest as a “straight fight” against Reform in the home counties and northern seats such as Stockport and Hull. Reform, aligned with Donald Trump, is spending heavily. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is criticised for a hard-right shift; Greens and Labour are expected to lose ground.

The Guardian

More In Common projects the Lib Dem gaining 500 seats, Labour losing up to 1,800, and the Greens adding 1,700. The poll also expects Lib Dem victories in the newly formed East Surrey and West Surrey councils.

The Guardian

Davey urges tactical voting, asking voters who prefer neither Labour nor the Greens to back the Lib Dem to stop Reform. He cites actions on fly-tipping, potholes and sewage, and proposes cuts to national-insurance for employers, reduced VAT for hospitality, and a lower pint price after reports of £10 pints in London.

The Guardian

Davey says Reform’s “Trump-style policies” and Farage’s support for the U.S. president have alienated progressive and moderate Tory voters. He also blames Badenoch’s hard-right stance for weakening Conservative appeal.

The Guardian

Winning the five councils would let the Lib Dem implement local reforms and block Reform’s influence. The outcome could shift the balance among England’s three largest parties and indicate voter preference for centrist over far-right options.

The Guardian

Davey told voters the Lib Dem are “the party most capable of stopping Reform” and that the race is “on a knife edge” in districts. He said “one-nation, pro-Europe liberal Tories” are turning away from the Conservatives and view the Lib Dem as a bulwark against “Trump-style policies,” framing the election as a decisive moment for local governance and national direction.

The Guardian

• “If we are going to stop Reform, we are the party most capable of doing that, it is on a knife edge in some of these areas,” — Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader

The Guardian

• “People could vote Labour or Green and then we will get narrowly beaten by Reform and people will regret it for a long time.” — Ed Davey

The Guardian

• “When you talk to that traditional one-nation, pro-Europe liberal Tory, they are pretty upset with Kemi Badenoch; they feel the Conservative party has left them,” — Ed Davey

The Guardian

• “I like a pint like everyone else and the idea of £10 a pint should make people think twice,” — Ed Davey

The Guardian

The council elections on 5 May will determine whether the Lib Dem secure control of the five target councils. Post-election, Davey plans to push his tax-cut and hospitality measures while continuing to position the party as the central force against Reform’s expansion.

The Guardian