Sir Ed Davey on Monday welcomed dozens of new Liberal Democrat MPs at the party’s Westminster office telling them that “constituents have put their trust in us to be their local champions”.
The Lib Dems gained 61 new seats in a record breaking general election for the party.
Sir Ed gained attention on the campaign trail with a number of whacky stunts, including bungee jumping, paddle boarding and water sliding.
“I guess the bungee jump really was worth it after all,” he joked as he welcomed his new MPs.
“We have spent years rebuilding people’s trust in our party,” he added.
“By speaking to them. Listening to their concerns and focusing on the things that matter most to them.
“The cost-of-living crisis. The sewage scandal. And – most of all – the NHS and care.
“Because we have relentlessly focused on those issues, our constituents have sent us to Parliament –
“A record number of Liberal Democrat MPs. To fight for them.”
The Lib Dems achieved a huge increase in its performance in the 2019 election, when it returned just 11 MPs to Parliament.
Its first victory of the night in Harrogate and Knaresborough where its candidate achieved a 15.8 per cent swing away from the Tories.
They added three new MPs in London, representing Carshalton and Wallington, Sutton and Cheam and Wimbledon.
Several Conservative ministers were also unseated by Lib Dem challenges, including Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer and Science Secretary Michelle Donelan.
The Lib Dems have called for an emergency budget to improve health and social care.
