Ed Davey declares "time's up" for Sunak and demands general election at victory rally in Windsor

• Liberal Democrats storm to victory in Blue Wall Windsor as they make big gains against the Conservative party 

• Ed Davey calls for a general election: “Time’s up for Rishi Sunak and his appalling Conservative Government, we want a general election now”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has demanded a general election after declaring time is up for Rishi Sunak and his out-of-touch Conservative Government. 

Speaking at a rally of party councillors and activists in Windsor to celebrate the party’s stunning victory there, Ed Davey said the local elections results are a clear sign that British people are fed up with this Conservative Government.

Ed Davey unveiled a giant clock on the Windsor bridge and led the crowd in a countdown to call time on this government. 

Overnight, the Liberal Democrats gained control of Windsor & Maidenhead, knocked the Conservatives out of control in South Gloucestershire and Brentwood, as well as making sweeping gains across the country in Hertfordshire, Somerset and Hull. 

The Liberal Democrats gained a staggering 13 seats from the Conservative party in Windsor & Maidenhead, with swings of over 20% in some wards.  The royal borough sits in the heart of the Blue Wall, surrounded by ultra-marginal constituencies including Esher & Walton, Chesham & Amersham and Wokingham amongst many others. 

Speaking to supporters near Windsor Castle, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Voters across the country have sent a clear message in these local elections, a message so loud that even someone as out of touch as Rishi Sunak can’t ignore it.

“People are fed up with waiting hours for an ambulance, waiting in vain for the police to show up after a break-in, or for real action to bring down soaring energy bills and food prices.

“Conservative MPs are out of touch, out of ideas and out of excuses, and the British people are fed up with waiting for a chance to kick them out of office. 

“Time is up for Rishi Sunak and his appalling Conservative Government, we need a general election now. It’s clear that in many parts of the country, it’s the Liberal Democrats who can defeat the Conservatives and deliver a fair deal for the British people.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Full text of Ed Davey’s speech at the Liberal Democrat election rally in Windsor.

***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***

Friends, what a wonderful morning it is!

Liberal Democrats are winning big right across the country.

We’ve already made big gains in Bath, in Brentford and right here in Windsor.

We’ve won against Labour to increase our majority in Hull.

And we’re winning seats from the Conservatives as we continue to bring the Blue Wall tumbling down.

I’m so proud that when Katy Perry and Lionel Richie arrive at Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert on Sunday, they will be coming to a Royal Borough controlled by the Liberal Democrats and a ward represented by three brand new Liberal Democrat councillors!

And the votes are still being counted, but I know we’ve got a lot more good news to look forward to as the results roll in.

It’s already clear: thanks to your incredible hard work throughout this campaign…

The Liberal Democrats are the big winners of this year’s local elections.

Just like we were last year.

And just like we were when these councils were last up for election in twenty-nineteen.

Once again, more and more people have stepped into their polling station and chosen Liberal Democrats to be their strong local champions.

Because you know we work hard for our communities, we listen to your concerns, and we never take you for granted.

And people right across England have sent a clear message in these elections…

A message so loud that even someone so out of touch as Rishi Sunak can’t ignore it.

We are all fed up with having to wait so long for everything we need.

We’re fed up with waiting hours for an ambulance, weeks to see a GP, and months or even years for an operation.

We’re fed up with waiting in vain for the police to show up after a break-in.

Waiting for months to have the pothole in our street repaired.

Waiting for real action to bring down soaring energy bills and food prices.

Still waiting, after all this time, for the first sign of the new hospitals we were promised.

Waiting, waiting, waiting for an end to sewage being dumped into our rivers and onto our beaches.

Waiting for the Government to start listening and stop taking us all for granted.

Waiting for the fair deal we deserve.

These Conservative MPs are out of touch, out of ideas and out of excuses.

And the British people are fed up with waiting for a chance to kick them out of office.

We’re fed up with waiting for a General Election.

The message from voters across England couldn’t be clearer:

They are saying: time’s up for Rishi Sunak and his appalling Conservative Government.

We’ve shown yet again that in many parts of the country Liberal Democrats are the ones who will get them out of office.

We’re the ones who can deliver a fair deal for the British people –

And spread real opportunity right across our great United Kingdom.

So let’s get back to work and make it happen!