Lib Dem MP quits frontbench job over Ed Davey's leadership

Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard has resigned from his frontbench post as Treasury spokesman and called for Sir Ed Davey to be replaced as party leader, the Financial Times first reported on Friday.

Maynard, who represents Witney in Oxfordshire and was first elected in 2024, is part of what allies of Sir Ed privately characterize as a "small group" of dissatisfied MPs within the party.

Maynard's resignation follows Alison Bennett's departure from her role as care and carers spokesperson earlier in the week. Bennett did not confirm her reasons for stepping down, though it is understood personal reasons were not involved.

The party leadership has moved quickly to contain the discontent. Daisy Cooper, deputy leader, stated: "The vast majority of our MPs support Ed, want him to lead the party into the next election, and are furious at this distraction." Tim Farron, the party's former leader, defended Sir Ed, saying the party was positioned under his leadership to match or exceed the "record numbers of MPs" won at the 2024 election.

Several other Lib Dem MPs backed Davey via social media posts on Friday evening.

Julian Brazil, a Liberal Democrat council leader who has previously criticized Sir Ed, suggested more resignations may follow. "Maynard has put his head above the parapet. We'll see if other people follow," Brazil told BBC Radio 5Live. He described Davey as a "fantastic leader" but added: "For whatever reasons people aren't listening to Ed, they don't take notice of him, so we need to have a fresh start."

Some Lib Dem discontent centers on Sir Ed's response to the triple lock, the mechanism guaranteeing state pensions rise in line with inflation, wage increases, or 2.5%, whichever is highest. Last week, Sir Ed criticized Care Secretary Andy Burnham's proposal to adjust the triple lock, arguing it would "put more pensioners into poverty." Multiple Lib Dem MPs have privately disputed this argument.

Sir Ed has led the party for six years. In 2024, he led the Lib Dems to their biggest electoral success, winning 72 seats. Polling numbers have remained low since, however.

Under party rules, a leadership contest requires a majority vote of no confidence from all Lib Dem MPs. Any challenger needs nominations from at least 10% of the parliamentary party and backing from 200 members across at least 20 local parties.