Lib Dems hope to proceed electoral successes in ‘blue wall’ areas

The Liberal Democrats will hope to continue their recent electoral successes in traditionally Conservative voting areas of the south of England known as the ‘blue wall’ on July 4.

England’s third-largest party – with 15 MPs, including four elected in by-elections since 2021 – won 104 new council seats in local elections earlier this month.

The party has made a point of targeting disillusioned Tory voters in traditional ‘Tory shire’ heartlands such as Surrey, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. 

Leader Sir Ed Davey even knocked down a prop blue wall with a hammer following their 2021 by-election victory in Chesham and Amersham.

Twenty-four of the 30 seats they could win with a 10 per cent swing are currently represented by the Tories – including Godalming and Ash, held by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and former Cabinet minister Dominic Raab‘s Esher and Walton constituency.

The Liberal Democrats and leader Sir Ed Davey will hope to continue their recent electoral successes in traditionally Conservative voting areas of the south of England known as the ‘blue wall’ on July 4

Former Cabinet minister Dominic Raab’s Esher and Walton constituency could be won by the Lib Dems at the election. Mr Raab has announced he is standing down as an MP

Last night deputy leader Daisy Cooper told the Mail: ‘Conservative MPs right across the blue wall are on notice and it’s the Liberal Democrats who can beat them here.

‘This General Election is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people in the blue wall to send this appalling Conservative Government a message.’

The party’s campaigning strategy has been to pour resources into seats where they have a realistic chance of winning. 

While there is no official pact with Labour, the two parties have often stood ‘paper candidates’ in races where the other has a chance to unseat a Conservative incumbent.

Officials are hoping that similar tactical voting can return the party to being the third-largest in Westminster.

By-election victories in Somerton and Frome, Tiverton and Honiton, Chesham and Amersham and North Shropshire saw massive swings from the Tories to the Liberal Democrats after campaigners focused on local concerns such as sewage, housing and ambulance waiting times.

A party spokesperson said last night: ‘Ed Davey is on his way now to Michael Gove’s true blue Surrey seat. Cabinet ministers in former Conservative heartlands will be looking nervously over their shoulders at the Liberal Democrats.’

The Green Party, meanwhile, are aiming to capitalise on progressive voters disappointed in Labour’s shift to the right under Sir Keir Starmer.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is under serious threat of losing his Godalming and Ash seat but he has killed rumours he won’t stand

The party only has one MP, but gained 74 council seats earlier this month – boosting their numbers for the fifth election in a row.

Co-leader Carla Denyer said they picked up Labour voters annoyed over their U-turn on the £28billion green investment plan and stance on the Gaza conflict.

Party figures say they hope to elect four MPs this year to hold a potential Labour government to account.

They consider their best chances in Brighton Pavilion, the only seat they currently hold and where Caroline Lucas is standing down, and Bristol Central, where they will try to unseat Labour frontbencher Thangam Debbonaire.