Liberal Democrats – campaigning beyond Europe

This weekend, the Liberal Democrats gathered in Harrogate for the party’s Spring Conference. But for party strategists, this wasn’t a conference of photo-ops and paddleboard stunts. For Ed Davey and his team, the focus was clear: to cement the Lib Dems as the leading voice on international relations once again.

Gone was the general election-era levity. In its place was a serious, coordinated effort to frame the Lib Dems as the UK's most outward-looking and principled party on global issues. From safeguarding LGBTQ+ rights to defending animal welfare standards and boosting foreign aid, the weekend’s motions shared a common thread: resisting the growing tide of right-wing populism, particularly that embodied by US President Donald Trump.

The threats of a second Trump presidency loomed large. Whether in debates on technology and innovation or international development, speakers repeatedly returned to the threat his return poses – not just to America, but to liberal values worldwide. From the grassroots to senior MPs, the message was consistent and confident. And while delegates may have joined together for the traditional Glee Club singalong, it was in the debate hall that the real harmony was found – unity on internationalism and foreign affairs.

The conference reached its crescendo with Davey’s keynote speech on Sunday – a bold, defiant address rooted in the rejection of divisive, nationalist politics. He took aim at Nigel Farage, mockingly branding him a “fan-girl”, and dismissed Kemi Badenoch’s jibes about being “liked” with a confident shrug. But Davey reserved his strongest words for Donald Trump, ending with the rallying cry “Let’s go to battle”.

Framing his speech as a “reclaiming of patriotism”, Davey sought to challenge the narrative that internationalism is somehow un-British. If previous Lib Dem wins – such as campaigns around sewage discharge or pledges for carers – are anything to go by, he’ll be hoping their stance on international affairs catches on too.

There was a sense among some attendees that this could be a defining moment. Just as Charles Kennedy led the party’s principled opposition to the Iraq War in the early 2000s, many see Davey now positioning the Lib Dems as the UK’s most credible opposition to Trumpism and the ideologies it fuels.

So, is this the moment the Liberal Democrats re-establish themselves as global leaders in a post-Brexit Britain? Could this be the internationalist identity that helps them cut through the noise? Time will tell – but one thing’s clear: in Harrogate this weekend, the Lib Dems weren’t just talking to themselves. They were speaking to the world.