It’s been a historic year, John! | | This year, we achieved our best General Election result ever, electing 72 MPs who are fighting every day for their local communities. There’s so much more to celebrate too, from local election wins to success in Parliament.
Here are our top achievements from 2024! | |
 | Our best General Election result ever! | | | Our result was truly historic, as we became the largest third party in 100 years and booted the Conservatives from power.
Our campaign focussed on the issues the public care most about - health and social care, the cost of living, and the sewage crisis - and our manifesto presented bold and deliverable solutions. | | | Our leader, Ed Davey, captured the hearts of voters. Whether it be through his reflections on his role as a carer or through one of his now famous stunts, Ed brought attention to the serious issues in a way which made us smile.
Relive our General Election campaign here: |  | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 2 mins | As the third largest party again, we now have two PMQs each week, increased media coverage, three Select Committee chairs, and 55 Lib Dems holding Select Committee posts, all of which helps us deliver a strong, constructive opposition to the Labour government.
The future is full of opportunities for Liberal Democrats to make real change, and that’s thanks to our incredible members and supporters - we cannot say thank you enough. | |
 | Incredible local election results | | | For the first time since 1996, we elected more councillors than the Conservatives in May’s local elections in England.
We elected 522 councillors and won control of 12 councils overall, taking our total number of councillors past 3,000 and our majority councils to 37.
In London, Gareth Roberts became the first London Assembly member to be elected for a constituency seat other than Labour and the Conservatives, while Hina Bokhari was re-elected as a London-wide member.
These stunning results set us up for the General Election just two months later, when time really did run out for Rishi Sunak! With more crucial elections up in England this coming May, and important elections in Holyrood and the Senedd in 2026 - maintaining this momentum is vital! | |
 | Conferences in York and Brighton | It was wonderful to see so many people join us for Spring Conference in York and Autumn Conference in Brighton.
In York, we got election-ready, coming together to share ideas, attend training sessions and passing policies that would form the basis of our manifesto - it was the perfect way to get geared up for the campaign ahead.
Then, in September, we gathered in Brighton for a joyous celebration, while also charting our course for the future.
You can read all the motions passed at both Conferences here: | | | |
 | Lib Dem legislation 📜 | Here are just some of our achievements in Parliament this year:
Winning a vote on Proportional Representation
This December, Sarah Olney MP won a historic vote, when her bill to introduce proportional representation for Westminster elections and local government elections in England passed in the House of Commons - the first time a vote has ever done so. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins | Keeping Parliament safe
Wendy Chamberlain MP successfully passed a provision allowing MPs arrested for serious sexual or violent offences, and deemed a potential risk by a panel of their colleagues, to be barred from the Parliamentary estate. The Government had proposed allowing access until MPs were formally charged, so this provision goes much further in protecting staff and victims. | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 1 min | Banning puppy smuggling
Danny Chambers MP’s Bill to end puppy smuggling won Government support and passed Second Reading in the House of Commons. The Bill will ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, as well as mutilated or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, protecting animal welfare. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins | With such a large cohort of Lib Dem MPs, we’re sure to achieve many more great things in 2025. | |
 | In the Media 📰 | We made the headlines in 2024, not least during the General Election where we had over 135,000 print quotes and 120,000 broadcast mentions overall. Here are some highlights…
Our manifesto launch captured the campaign's spirit: serious policies paired with upbeat, positive imagery. The day began with a focus on NHS reform and ended with a signature Ed stunt — riding roller coasters alongside fellow Lib Dem candidates. | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 21 mins | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 4 mins | The carer’s allowance overpayments scandal has forced thousands of carers to repay huge sums for earning just a few pounds over the arbitrary limit.
Despite securing a review, Ed Davey MP urged the Government to go much further. His call to halt repayment demands and threats of prosecution until the review is completed and the system has been reformed made the front page of the Guardian. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 5 mins | At Autumn Conference in Brighton, Daisy Cooper MP shared her experience of facing a life-threatening condition in hospital. She stressed that the NHS is about more than health - it’s about freedom. Long waits or lack of GP appointments take that freedom away. | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 14 mins | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 3 mins | |
Our impact online 🛜 | Top post on social media
We launched our TikTok account during the General Election, allowing us to bring the campaign to life like never before.
But while our campaign was full of fun stunts and positive energy, the Conservatives’ was…a little different. Here’s our take on Rishi Sunak acting completely normally during the campaign, a post which drew a lot of attention: | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 1 min | Most watched video
Despite his many stunts, Ed had a serious story to tell. In our first Party Election Broadcast of the campaign, Ed opened up about his role as a carer for his son and for his mother as a teenager. |  | | | | ⏲️ Watch time: 4 mins | Alongside TikTok, we also joined Bluesky! Follow all our social media channels below to stay up to date with everything we’re doing: | |
 | Love is Enough | Ed Davey helped us all get into the Christmas spirit by featuring in the new original single by Bath Philharmonia and their Young Carers’ Choir, Love is Enough.
While the song sadly didn't make Christmas No. 1, it helped raise funds for Carers Trust and Bath Philharmonia and crucially raised awareness about young carers in the media and in Parliament. | | | |
How can we possibly top that? | | In 2024, millions of people voted for us because they believed we would champion their concerns and fight for their communities. In 2025, we must deliver on our mandate to stand up as strong, local champions and be a constructive opposition in Parliament. If we do that, we can reach even greater heights.
With local elections throughout England in May, we have a fantastic chance to topple more of the Blue Wall and to take the fight to Labour. And we’ll also be building momentum for the Welsh Senedd and Scottish Holyrood elections in 2026.
This is only the beginning, John.
We’ll see you in 2025!
Best wishes, |  | Liberal Democrats | | |
 | We'd love to have you onboard, John! | Have you been inspired by our historic year? Do you want to help us reach even greater heights?
Become a Member today so we can continue fighting for a fair deal!
As a Member, you'll be able to vote on future policy and in future leadership elections, gain access to exclusive events and training, and much more.
There couldn't be a better New Year's resolution - join us today! | | | | Already a Member?
Get in touch to let us know at [email protected] so that we can check your record. | |
|
|
|
| |
