Lib Dems hopeful of more election gains if Tory drift to right continues

Ed Davey wants his party to supplant the Conservatives at ‘the top table of politics’. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

The Liberal Democrats could take dozens more seats from the Conservatives at the next general election if the Tories select a leader who keeps pushing them to the right, Lib Dem officials believe.

The prediction came as Ed Davey prepared to attack the Conservatives in his leader’s speech to the Lib Dem conference, saying he wants his party to supplant them at “the top table of our politics”.