In a historic victory, the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) have achieved unprecedented success in the United Kingdom's general election held on July 4, 2024.
A member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party and Liberal International, the Lib Dems secured 72 seats in the House of Commons, surpassing their previous record of 62 seats set in 2005. This remarkable performance establishes the Lib Dems as the third-largest party in the UK Parliament.
Election Highlights:
Seat Gains and Popular Vote: The Lib Dems garnered a 12.2% share of the popular vote, translating into an increase of 61 Members of Parliament (MPs). This significant gain underscores the party's growing influence and the resonance of their campaign with the electorate.
Notable Constituency Wins: In a series of stunning upsets, the Lib Dems claimed the constituencies of three former Conservative prime ministers: David Cameron (Witney), Boris Johnson (Henley), and Theresa May (Maidenhead).
Leadership and Vision: Sir Ed Davey, re-elected in his Kingston and Surbiton seat with 25,870 votes, described the election outcome as "an exceptional result." He emphasized the Lib Dems' commitment to addressing voters' concerns and pledged, "This will not be a one-off."
Liberal win in Northern Ireland: The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, also a liberal party, celebrated a milestone, with Sorcha Eastwood becoming the first MP elected in Lagan Valley, securing 18,618 votes. Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA praised the victory, stating, "Fantastic result for Lagan Valley Alliance and for Sorcha Eastwood. What a breath of fresh air she will be on those green benches!" The Alliance Party is also a member of Liberal International and the ALDE Party.
Calls for Proportional Representation
The results of the 2024 UK general election have also reignited the debate on electoral reform, particularly the shift towards proportional representation (PR). Despite winning 72 seats, the Lib Dems only secured a similar vote share of about 12% compared to previous elections.
The Lib Dems, under the leadership of Sir Ed Davey, strategically focused their resources on winnable seats rather than on increasing their overall vote share. This targeted approach paid off, with the party achieving its best-ever seat count. One Lib Dem insider explained to The Guardian, “It’s not that we like first past the post. But it’s fair to say that we had to use the system in front of us and play the board that was there.”
Campaigners for electoral reform, including the Electoral Reform Society, argue that the 2024 election results were the "most disproportionate on record." The disparity in seat allocation versus vote share has renewed calls for the adoption of PR to ensure a more representative democracy. If the UK employed the additional member system of PR, as used in the Scottish and Welsh parliaments, parties like Reform UK and the Green Party would have seen significantly more representation.
Takeaways for Filipino Liberal Democrats
The Lib Dems' record-breaking victory in the UK underscores the potential for liberal parties to achieve transformative results by engaging with voters and addressing their core concerns. This success story also serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated and visionary leadership can have on shaping the political landscape.
For the Liberal Party of the Philippines, the Lib Dems' triumph offers a compelling example of how steadfast commitment to liberal values and voter-centric campaigns can yield significant electoral gains. Filipino liberals can draw inspiration from this success to strengthen our own political convictions and organizational resolve.
By showcasing the achievements of liberal counterparts abroad, Vote Liberals PH aims to galvanize support for liberal democracy and good governance in the Philippines.