Senior Lib Dem MP Charlie Maynard quits front bench in bid to oust Ed Davey as rivals build war chests

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026.

Charlie Maynard has resigned from the Lib Dem front bench in a move reportedly aimed at toppling Sir Ed Davey, with rivals reportedly quietly amassing funds for a leadership challenge. Multiple Lib Dem figures are reportedly building war chests, suggesting the threat to Davey is broader than a single resignation. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper has moved swiftly to dismiss the challenge, insisting the "vast majority" of MPs are "full square behind" Sir Ed.

Maynard sent his resignation letter privately to Davey; Cooper said she had not seen it, but acknowledged "a degree of frustration" within the party.

Cooper argued Davey is the party's most successful leader ever, pointing to an eighth consecutive local-election win as proof he is "winning where it matters".

Cooper conceded the Lib Dems face a structural problem: "We've become the largest third party in 100 years at a time when Parliament seems to matter less than algorithms."