Liberal Democrats hold party meeting in Brighton amid internal debates over leadership and strategy

The Liberal Democrats have gathered for their party meeting in Brighton, where party president Sharon Cooper adopted a combative mood and called on members to flip the table and rise up. At the same time, internal tensions have surfaced over the direction of the party under leader Ed Davey. A local council leader warned that the party is sleepwalking toward irrelevance under his leadership, while the Financial Times reported that Mr Davey has been urged to drop publicity stunts and focus on serious politics. In response to political shifts, Mr Davey stated that the Liberal Democrats will serve as a firewall against Nigel Farage. Other party members and media outlets have raised questions about whether the party is still delivering results or if it needs to change its overall course.