Sir Ed Davey has cautioned that Nigel Farage’s vision for Britain would resemble a Trump-inspired nightmare, with the support of what he terms as the “forces of darkness”. The Liberal Democrat leader launched a scathing critique of the Reform leader, asserting that under Farage’s leadership, racism and misogyny would receive implicit backing, and the NHS would face dismantlement. Sir Ed emphasized the moral obligation of the Lib Dems to stand united against Reform in his keynote address.

However, Sir Ed’s remarks sparked a strong backlash, particularly when he suggested that gun regulations would be relaxed and children would need to prepare for the threat of mass shootings. In response, Reform swiftly denounced his statements as nonsensical and dismissed him as inconsequential.

Speaking at the party conference in Bournemouth, Sir Ed painted a grim picture of the country Farage envisions, where the absence of the NHS would leave patients burdened with exorbitant insurance costs or deprived of healthcare altogether. He highlighted the potential consequences of relying on costly fossil fuels from Putin and engaging in environmentally harmful practices like fracking amid the ongoing crisis of climate change.

Sir Ed further criticized Farage for his previous opposition to the UK’s handgun ban, warning that such laws could be reversed if Reform gained power, requiring schools to educate children on handling mass shooting scenarios. Despite Farage’s past criticism of firearm restrictions, Reform has clarified that there are no plans to relax gun laws under its leadership.

In a bid to rally support, Sir Ed urged disillusioned Tory voters to join forces with the Liberal Democrats to safeguard the country’s future. He also signaled the party’s intention to attract Labour supporters, criticizing the government’s lack of vision and likening Labour to “Continuity Sunak” on a daily basis.

In a parting shot, Sir Ed accused Nigel Farage of aligning with figures like Elon Musk, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump, labeling him a false patriot. He emphasized the commitment of the Liberal Democrats to the British populace, contrasting Farage’s agenda with a genuine love for the country.

The speech, which mentioned Farage more than 30 times, drew a response from Farage himself, who commented on social media about Sir Ed’s fixation on him.