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'''Sir Edward Jonathan Davey''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|FRSA}} (born 25 December 1965) is a British politician who has served as [[Leader of the Liberal Democrats]] since 2020, having acted in the position from 2019 to 2020.{{efn|name=fn1|Serving alongside [[Sal Brinton]] from 13 December 2019 to 1 January 2020 and [[Mark Pack]] from 1 January to 27 August 2020.}} He served in the [[Cameron–Clegg coalition]] as [[Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change]] from 2012 to 2015 and as [[Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats|deputy leader]] to [[Jo Swinson]] in 2019. An "[[The Orange Book|Orange Book]]" liberal,
Davey was born in [[Mansfield]], Nottinghamshire. After both his parents died before he was 16, Davey was raised by his grandparents, and subsequently attended [[Nottingham High School]]. He then went on to study at [[Jesus College, Oxford]], and [[Birkbeck, University of London]]. He was an economics researcher and [[financial analyst]] before being elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]. Davey served as a [[Liberal Democrat frontbench team|Liberal Democrat spokesperson]] to [[Charles Kennedy]], [[Menzies Campbell]] and [[Nick Clegg]] from 2005 to 2010, in various portfolios including [[Department for Education and Skills (United Kingdom)|Education and Skills]], [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Trade and Industry]], and [[Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs]].
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In 2010, after the Liberal Democrats entered into a [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|coalition government]] with the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], Davey served as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] for [[Department for Business, Innovation and Skills|Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs]] from 2010 to 2012,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP |url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/sir-edward-davey/188 |url-status=live |website=UK Parliament |access-date=14 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722062111/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/sir-edward-davey/188 |archive-date=22 July 2017}}</ref> and in [[David Cameron]]'s [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet]] as [[Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change]] from 2012 to 2015, following [[Chris Huhne]]'s resignation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Davey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/ed-davey |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |access-date=14 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710211015/https://www.theguardian.com/profile/ed-davey |archive-date=10 July 2017}}</ref> Davey focused on increasing competition in the energy market by removing [[barriers to entry]] for smaller companies, and streamlining the [[customer switching]] process.<ref>{{cite news |title=Davey vows faster energy switching |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24747183 |url-status=live |work=BBC News |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=10 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104093708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24747183 |archive-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> He also approved the construction of [[Hinkley Point C nuclear power station]].<ref>{{cite news |title=New nuclear power plant approved |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21839684 |url-status=live |work=BBC News |date=20 March 2013 |access-date=10 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103155430/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21839684 |archive-date=3 January 2018}}</ref>
He lost his seat in the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] and was [[knight]]ed in the [[2016 New Year Honours|2016 New Years Honours List]] for political and public service. He regained his seat in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]]
Davey stood in the [[2020 Liberal Democrats leadership election|2020 leadership election]], in which he defeated [[Layla Moran]] with 63.5% of the vote. In his leadership bid he said he would prioritise defeating the Conservatives and ruled out working with them following the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]]. Under Davey's leadership, the Liberal Democrats have made gains in local elections alongside [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], with both parties making gains in the [[2024 United Kingdom local elections|2024 local elections]], where the Liberal Democrats finished second for the first time in a local election cycle since 2009. In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]] Davey led his party to both their highest ever number of seats and the highest number of seats for a third party since [[1923 United Kingdom general election|1923]], and was noted, with praise and criticism, for his campaign stunts.
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[[File:Ed Davey (2020) for leader logo.png|thumb|Davey's leadership bid logo|left]]
In June 2020, whilst acting leader, Davey launched his bid to become leader saying that his "experience as a carer can help rebuild Britain after coronavirus".<ref name="ed">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Peter |title=Ed Davey: my experience as a carer can help rebuild Britain after coronavirus |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/04/ed-davey-my-experience-as-a-carer-can-help-rebuild-britain-after-coronavirus |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=4 June 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604075559/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/04/ed-davey-my-experience-as-a-carer-can-help-rebuild-britain-after-coronavirus |archive-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> He proposed the establishment of a [[basic income]] to support carers, and said that the Liberal Democrats should be "the party of social care".<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Davey launches Liberal Democrat leadership bid|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2020/06/04/davey-launches-liberal-democrat-leadership-bid/|date=4 June 2020|access-date=4 June 2020|website=Shropshire Star|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604090902/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2020/06/04/davey-launches-liberal-democrat-leadership-bid/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="stone endorsement">{{cite web|date=4 June 2020|title=Ed Davey pledges citizen's basic income for carers as he launches Lib Dem leadership campaign|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-leadership-policies-citizens-basic-income-carers-a9549211.html|last=Woodcock|first=Andrew|access-date=24 June 2020|website=The Independent|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621190419/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-leadership-policies-citizens-basic-income-carers-a9549211.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Davey ruled out a formal electoral agreement with the Labour Party, but said that he would prioritise defeating the Conservatives, and ruled out working with the Conservatives following the next election.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Read|first=Jonathon|date=13 July 2020|title=Ed Davey says he is 'anti-Conservative' and will work with Keir Starmer to oust Boris Johnson|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-on-keir-starmer-and-boris-johnson-1-6742995|access-date=26 July 2020|website=The New European|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726104417/https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-on-keir-starmer-and-boris-johnson-1-6742995|url-status=live}}</ref> He proposed a plan to reduce [[carbon emissions]] from domestic flights to zero by 2030 through investment in research and technology.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 July 2020|title=Lib Dems' Ed Davey calls for zero carbon domestic flights by 2030|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/ed-davey-zero-carbon-domestic-flights-2030-557379|access-date=26 July 2020|website=inews.co.uk|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726113120/https://inews.co.uk/news/ed-davey-zero-carbon-domestic-flights-2030-557379|url-status=live}}</ref> In a hustings event with Welsh members, he said that the [[2021 Senedd election]] was a priority and he expected success for the Liberal Democrats.<ref name=":6" />
[[File:Ed Davey in the House Of Commons.jpg|thumb|287x287px|Davey speaking during [[Prime Minister's Questions]], 7 February 2024]]▼
Davey was one of two candidates running for leader in the Liberal Democrats leadership election, competing with [[Layla Moran]]. One recurring theme of the leadership campaign was Davey's record in the Cameron-Clegg coalition government, and the policies that government had enacted. Moran is considered to be more left-wing than Davey and representing a break from the coalition years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Read|first=Jonathon|title=POLL: Who gets your backing in the Lib Dem leadership election?|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-or-layla-moran-which-lib-dem-gets-your-vote-1-6764865|access-date=15 August 2020|website=The New European|date=27 July 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809084821/https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/ed-davey-or-layla-moran-which-lib-dem-gets-your-vote-1-6764865|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="turning left">{{cite web|title=Layla Moran on turning left and whether the Lib Dems should go into coalition again|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/07/layla-moran-turning-left-and-whether-lib-dems-should-go-coalition-again|access-date=26 July 2020|website=[[New Statesman]]|date=10 July 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726084925/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/07/layla-moran-turning-left-and-whether-lib-dems-should-go-coalition-again|url-status=live}}</ref> Alongside Clegg and many of the Liberal Democrats who served in the governing Conservative-Lib Dem coalition of 2010–2015, Davey is associated with the party's right-wing [[The Orange Book|Orange Booker]] branch. The record of the coalition, which caused a decline in popularity of the Liberal Democrats after 2015, has been defended by Davey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Was Ed Davey 'a bit right-wing' for a Tory coalition partner?|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/was-ed-davey-a-bit-right-wing-for-a-tory-coalition-partner-|date=4 July 2020|author=Steerpike|website=The Spectator|access-date=15 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805163205/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/was-ed-davey-a-bit-right-wing-for-a-tory-coalition-partner-|url-status=live}}</ref>
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Under Davey's leadership, the Liberal Democrats have made gains in local elections alongside Labour, with both parties making gains in the 2023 local elections and made further gains in the 2024 local elections, where the Liberal Democrats finished second for the first time in a local election cycle since [[2009 United Kingdom local elections|2009]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Britain's Conservatives trounced in local elections as Labour makes gains |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/4/britains-conservatives-trounced-in-local |access-date=5 May 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516100659/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/4/britains-conservatives-trounced-in-local |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== 2024 general election campaign stunts and seat victories ====
{{Main|2024 United Kingdom general election}}
Davey led his party in the [[2024 general election (UK)|2024 general election]], saying that "this general election is a chance to kick [[Rishi Sunak]]’s appalling Conservative government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for. For years the Conservative Party has taken voters for granted and lurched from crisis to crisis while the problems facing the country are getting so much worse. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services. It’s clear that in many seats across the country, the best way to beat the Conservatives is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.”<ref>{{cite news |date=24 May 2024 |title=British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls for general election in UK |url=https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/British_Prime_Minister_Rishi_Sunak_calls_for_general_election_in_UK?dpl_id=2994412 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608214914/https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/British_Prime_Minister_Rishi_Sunak_calls_for_general_election_in_UK?dpl_id=2994412 |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=3 June 2024 |newspaper=Wikinews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=People are crying out for change – Ed Davey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-69049167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522185627/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-69049167 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Davey on General Election: Kick this appalling Conservative government out of office |url=https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/ed-davey-on-general-election-kick-this-appalling-conservative-government-out-of-office |access-date=12 June 2024 |website=www.libdems.org.uk |archive-date=12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612213003/https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/ed-davey-on-general-election-kick-this-appalling-conservative-government-out-of-office |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2024, Davey was reselected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Kingston and Surbiton at the election.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=UK Parliamentary election: Kingston and Surbiton constituency Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/downloads/file/2832/statement-of-persons-nominated-kingston-and-surbiton-constituency |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref>▼
▲[[File:Ed Davey in the House Of Commons.jpg|thumb|287x287px|Davey speaking during [[Prime Minister's Questions]], 7 February 2024]]
▲Davey led his party in the [[2024 general election (UK)|2024 general election]], saying that "this general election is a chance to kick [[Rishi Sunak]]’s appalling Conservative government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for. For years the Conservative Party has taken voters for granted and lurched from crisis to crisis while the problems facing the country are getting so much worse. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services. It’s clear that in many seats across the country, the best way to beat the Conservatives is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.”<ref>{{cite news |date=24 May 2024 |title=British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls for general election in UK |url=https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/British_Prime_Minister_Rishi_Sunak_calls_for_general_election_in_UK?dpl_id=2994412 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608214914/https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/British_Prime_Minister_Rishi_Sunak_calls_for_general_election_in_UK?dpl_id=2994412 |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=3 June 2024 |newspaper=Wikinews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=People are crying out for change – Ed Davey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-69049167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522185627/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-69049167 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Davey on General Election: Kick this appalling Conservative government out of office |url=https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/ed-davey-on-general-election-kick-this-appalling-conservative-government-out-of-office |access-date=12 June 2024 |website=www.libdems.org.uk |archive-date=12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612213003/https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/ed-davey-on-general-election-kick-this-appalling-conservative-government-out-of-office |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2024, Davey was reselected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Kingston and Surbiton at the election, and won reelection.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=UK Parliamentary election: Kingston and Surbiton constituency Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll |url=https://www.kingston.gov.uk/downloads/file/2832/statement-of-persons-nominated-kingston-and-surbiton-constituency |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref>
Davey was noted, with praise and criticism, for his campaign stunts.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2024 |title=Lib Dems aim to grab attention with campaign stunts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c844p844eqxo |access-date=31 May 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615124843/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c844p844eqxo |url-status=live }}</ref> When visiting [[Windermere]], Davey fell off his [[Paddleboarding|paddleboard]], whilst campaigning to highlight the political issue of [[sewage discharge in the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rawlinson |first=Kevin |date=28 May 2024 |title=Stunts, sewage and serious messaging: Lib Dems hope to capitalise on outrage at water pollution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/28/stunts-sewage-and-serious-messaging-lib-dems-hope-to-capitalise-on-outrage-at-water-pollution |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615124843/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/28/stunts-sewage-and-serious-messaging-lib-dems-hope-to-capitalise-on-outrage-at-water-pollution |url-status=live }}</ref> A couple of days later, Davey won high-profile media attention when going down a [[Slip 'N Slide]], whilst drawing attention to deteriorating [[Mental health in the United Kingdom#Children and adolescents|mental health among children]]. When visiting [[Eastbourne (UK Parliament constituency)|Eastbourne]], Davey did a bungee jump, asking people to "take the plunge" and vote Liberal Democrat.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Lib Dems plunge head first into final week of campaign |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp6871w1lzko |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703010919/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp6871w1lzko |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked about these stunts, Davey said: "Politicians need to take the concerns and interests of voters seriously but I'm not sure they need to take themselves seriously all the time and I'm quite happy to have some fun".<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/ed-davey-stunt-lib-dems-election-b2554371.html |title=Ed Davey rides rubber ring on waterslide as Lib Dems campaign about children's mental health |date=31 May 2024 |last=Patrick |first=Holly |access-date=1 June 2024 |via=www.independent.co.uk |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601145443/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/ed-davey-stunt-lib-dems-election-b2554371.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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On 10 June 2024, Davey launched the Liberal Democrat [[manifesto]], titled ''[[For a Fair Deal]]'', in London.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 June 2024 |title=General Election 2024: A quick take on the Lib Dem's manifesto |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ce44z03r3e3o |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=BBC News }}</ref> He stressed that the Lib Dems are a "pro-European party"; the manifesto includes a promise for the UK to rejoin the [[European single market]].<ref>{{cite web |date=10 June 2024 |title=Ed Davey says Lib Dems would fight for UK to rejoin EU and one day overturn Brexit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-general-election-eu-b2559865.html |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=The Independent |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610144025/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ed-davey-lib-dem-general-election-eu-b2559865.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Midway through the campaign, opinion pollsters [[YouGov]] found that 35% of Liberal Democrat voters did not recognise a photograph of Davey.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49836-one-in-three-lib-dem-voters-dont-recognise-ed-davey |title=One in three Lib Dem voters don't recognise Ed Davey |website=YouGov |date=2024-06-22 |access-date=2024-06-22 |archive-date=1 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701154635/https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/49836-one-in-three-lib-dem-voters-dont-recognise-ed-davey |url-status=live }}</ref> Amid the [[2024 United Kingdom general election betting scandal|general election betting scandal]], Davey, whilst admitting that he had previously bet on the outcome of elections, also called for a review of gambling laws.<ref name="h771">{{cite web |last=Whannel |first=Kate |date=2024-06-26 |title=Ed Davey calls for gambling law review after election bet row |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjll6dg48xno |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=BBC News |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626133722/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjll6dg48xno |url-status=live }}</ref>
Davey led his party to both their highest ever number of seats and the highest number of seats for a third party since [[1923 United Kingdom general election|1923]], restoring the Liberal Democrats as the third largest party in the House of Commons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Charlotte |date=2024-07-05 |title=Why the Lib Dems did so well |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-the-lib-dems-did-so-well/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=The Spectator |language=en-US}}</ref> This will also make Davey able to ask two questions to [[Keir Starmer]] each week at [[Prime Minister's Questions]]
==Views==
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