'The fight goes on': Sir Ed Davey insists Lib Dems will continue to push for u-turn on winter fuel payments

14 September 2024, 14:19 | Updated: 14 September 2024, 14:31

Sir Ed Davey speaks to LBC at Lib Dem conference

By Emma Soteriou

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said "the fight goes on" to stop the government from making cuts to winter fuel payments.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking to LBC, Sir Ed said he would continue to put forward alternatives to the plans in a bid to persuade the government to rethink their options.

He said he understood the importance of balancing the books but taking winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners was not the solution.

It comes as the Lib Dems kicked off their party conference in Brighton on Saturday.

Sir Ed was seen arriving in style, as he glided across the sea on a jet ski.

"The fight goes on," he said. "I think by putting forward alternatives like I did at PMQs - showing that you don’t have to take this awful policy proposal that is going to hurt millions of pensioners to balance the books.

"The books need to be balanced. Let’s be clear, the cCnservatives left an awful financial mess.

"But I don't think you do that on the backs of millions of pensioners."

He added: "It’s going to be difficult, I'm frank about that, but you use the power of argument.

"We’ve got the budget coming on October 30, we’re going to be arguing for a whole range of things ahead of that and this will be one of them."

Read more: Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey arrives at party conference in Brighton on jet ski

Read more: Ed Davey says sorry for taking five months to meet Alan Bates and says ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells ‘fed me lies’

Ed Davey arrives at Lib Dem conference on jet ski

Addressing other options the government could consider, Sir Ed said: "If we really insulate pensioner homes we can bring down their fuel bills permanently.

"If we invest in renewables that’s cheaper than fossil fuels and that can bring energy bills down.

"We've talked about something called the warm homes discount which can help bring bills down directly.

"The fight goes on and that’s an example of how we’re going to be a constructive opposition unlike the Conservatives."

Sir Ed’s stunts during the 2024 general election campaign over the summer, which included bungee jumping and falling off a paddle board, garnered significant media attention.

They appeared to pay off as the Lib Dems won 72 seats to deliver their best performance since the present day party was established in 1988 having entered the election with just 15 MPs.

Despite having fun in the process, Sir Ed said the stunts have a serious meaning behind them too, with the Lib Dems pushing hard to tackle the sewage crisis.

Sir Ed was joined at sea by four of the party's new MPs also on jet skis before he was eventually seen mooring up in Brighton marina.

Pippa Heylings of South Cambridgeshire, Josh Babarinde of Eastbourne, Anna Sabine of Frome and East Somerset and Alison Bennett of Mid Sussex also participated in the stunt.

Ed Davey arriving in Brighton
Ed Davey arriving in Brighton. Picture: Alamy

The Lib Dem party conference will be held from September 14 to September 17 at the Brighton Centre and The Grand Hotel.

Ahead of the conference, Sir Ed told the Guardian: "We’re very excited and happy, obviously, but there’s a sense of responsibility too."

Read more: Sir Ed Davey hails ‘exceptional’ result as Liberal Democrats secure record number of seats in General Election

Read more: Ed Davey holds Kingston and Surbiton in biggest ever Liberal Democrat majority

After their election strategy was based firmly on policies around the NHS and care, it is likely these will be key topics of discussion.

Sir Ed has expressed frustration over the lack of discourse around care during the election.

Sir Ed led the Lib Dems to winning 72 seats in the general election
Sir Ed led the Lib Dems to 72 seats in the general election. Picture: Alamy

He said: “It’s so clear that if you want to reform the NHS, you’ve got to do social care.

"You’ve got to bring in family carers too, given that if you want to boost the economy you’ve got to be looking around everywhere for people who are able and willing to work.”

Lib Dem policies include paying care workers a minimum of £2-an-hour more than the “national living wage”, professionalising training and accreditation for the sector and more help for personal and family carers.

This comes following Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that the health service needs to "reform or die" with "major surgery, not sticking plaster solutions", after a probe from independent peer, Lord Darzi.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (far right) visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia.

Starmer should send 'warships, combat brigade, and air squadrons' to Ukraine in show of leadership, says ex-armed forces minister

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull biggest layoffs in close to a decade amid plunging business confidence

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull 'biggest layoffs in a decade' amid plunging business confidence

Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

'This isn't a political campaign, it's a legal process': Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

Exclusive
West Streeting, left, has back Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he was ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Peace in Ukraine 'vital for Britain's freedom', says Streeting as he backs PM's calls for troops on the ground

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has arrived in the United Arab Emirates ahead of this week's expected peace talks aimed at ending his country's war with Russia.

Zelenskyy visits UAE as Starmer signals support for British troop deployment in Ukraine peacekeeping

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'I thought it was fireworks': Pub landlady describes moments before fatal Valentine's Day car park shooting

Danielle McLaughlin's killer Baghat was finally found guilty today

Man sentenced to life in prison over rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in Goa

Shakira: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Kick Off - Rio de Janeiro

Singer Shakira admitted to hospital after abdominal issues force her to cancel concert

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Kyiv 'not invited' to US-Russia peace negotiations

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer

NHS on 'road to recovery', claims PM as he meets pledge to deliver two million extra appointments

Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

'I'm ready to put British troops into Ukraine', Keir Starmer says ahead of emergency Paris summit

Princess of Wales 'put her foot down'

Kate 'put her foot down' and stopped George, Charlotte and Louis taking part in gory hunting tradition

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Mikey Madison, winner of Leading Actress Award for 'Anora' and Adrien Brody, winner of the Leading Actor Award for 'The Brutalist'

Conclave wins Best Film at BAFTAs as Adrien Brody named Best Actor

High Street, South Norwood, London.

Investigation launched by police watchdog as man lost consciousness after being restrained by officers

Marco Rubio - Benjamin Netenyahu meeting in Jerusalem

Netanyahu praises Trump's 'bold vision' for Gaza