Oliver Dean: Never mind the Davey stunts, it’s Daisy’s stunt that makes the Lib Dems an unserious party

Oliver Dean is the digital editor of Mace Magazine and a political commentator with Young Voices. He studies History and Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Recently the Liberal Democrat economic spokesperson, Daisy Cooper, set out her party’s economic framework.

She did so at a press conference hosted by UK Finance, and the announcement marked the first major policy proposal the party has put forward since the 2024 election. But, whilst many Liberal Democrats were likely overjoyed by their party’s announcement, Cooper’s words left many scratching their heads and wondering how anyone could take her party seriously.

Perhaps the most peculiar announcement Cooper put forth was her idea to scrap the Treasury and, in its place, create a new Department for Growth. Her defence of such a radical idea came from the fact that, “in other countries” the bodies that cover “fiscal policy, economic policy and controlling government spending” are “split up.”

It may sound like a good idea on paper. After all, if other countries are doing it, why should Britain not join them?

But joking aside, such an idea is a prime example of a sweet nothing.

The evidence for this is overwhelming. For one, they would move this new Department to Birmingham. The reasoning behind this move is to reduce the inequality gap between London and the rest of the country. However, what no one seems to have told the Liberal Democrats is that simply moving a government building to a different city is not a means to produce economic growth. It is not as though the Treasury is some major economic force that drives up the country’s GDP. Moving this supposed ‘Department for Growth’ outside of London will not solve the countries’ economic issues in the way Cooper expects it to.

What is most telling, however, was the Party’s insistence that they “do not anticipate any cuts” to come with these new policies. True, the Liberal Democrat ethos appears to be spend, spend and spend some more and just hope that something works. At current rates, for instance, the government is expecting the welfare bill to rise by £20 billion more per year until the end of the Parliament. How, then, can the Liberal Democrats sit there with a straight face and not consider cutting any level of public spending? Total public spending is ballooning out of proportion, and yet Daisy Cooper and her allies appear to be blind to this economic reality. The truth is that if they are not to cut spending, they are left with just two options.

Either they would be forced to increase borrowing. Or, if they wished to take the other route, they would need to raise taxes. Both of these options would hinder the opportunities of future generations. The crux of the matter is that the Liberal Democrats are in a position to say such niceties – that cuts are not necessary, that they will mend the country’s woes – because they are, thankfully, never going to be near a position of power.

They can promise voters the world, and never be forced to deliver. They push policies in an attempt to grab headlines, and whilst it may work for a day or two, the votes they bleed as a result will far outweigh any positive media reception they may receive.

Indeed, such fiscally irresponsible nonsense comes at a time when their party leader is viewed by many as a joke. If he is not falling off a kayak, or partaking in some type of cringe-inducing photo opportunity, he is likely running his party’s credibility into the ground.

Daisy Cooper’s announcement has thus reinforced what many have known for a long time. That the Liberal Democrats are not a serious contender for government, and should not be allowed anywhere near the reins of power. The idea is radical, and unrealistic, but that is exactly what the Liberal Democrats can offer voters. They will never be held accountable for their undeliverable promises, and so do not care as to whether their plans are possible or not.

Perhaps we should all be thanking Daisy Cooper, for shining a light on the real Liberal Democrats.