Ed Davey Reverses Stance, Endorses Jane Dodds After Two-Year Leadership Rift
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has unequivocally endorsed Jane Dodds, the party's Welsh leader, reversing a previous position that saw him question her leadership nearly two years ago. This backing follows a period of discernible strain in their working relationship.
The initial rift emerged after Sir Ed called upon Dodds to "reflect on her position" in 2024, citing her handling of a historic sexual abuse case during her tenure with the Church of England. Dodds subsequently acknowledged "shortcomings" in the timeline for arranging a meeting to address allegations against a bishop, admitting that her relationship with the UK leader had "changed" and would "take time to repair."
Davey Dismisses Missed Cardiff Meeting
Earlier in April, Sir Ed's visit to Cardiff to meet Senedd election candidates without including Dodds further underscored the perceived distance between them. However, on Monday, Sir Ed dismissed concerns regarding the missed meeting, stating it was a "last minute decision to go" and that he and Dodds had exchanged messages acknowledging the scheduling conflict.
Sir Ed commended Dodds as an "excellent member of the Senedd" who merits re-election, praising her commitment to social care as central to the Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto. He expressed confidence that she has "done really well on things like farming and care and education."
The Liberal Democrats aim to secure up to five Members of the Senedd (MSs) in the 7 May election, a significant increase from their current single representative. The party has signalled a willingness to raise income tax to boost social care funding. Despite opinion polls suggesting a sixth-place finish, Sir Ed anticipated "surprises in store," referencing the party's strong performance in the 2024 election.
Regarding potential coalition agreements, Sir Ed deferred to Dodds and the Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd members on any post-election deals, particularly concerning Plaid Cymru. He reiterated the party's firm opposition to Welsh independence, emphasising a focus on improving core public services.
