Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey expressed confidence that his party can make inroads into Labour's traditional strongholds in northern cities like Liverpool and Sheffield during his keynote speech at the party's autumn conference in Brighton. He emphasized the importance of community engagement in building a successful political future and highlighted the need for the Lib Dems to serve as a 'responsible opposition' to the Labour government. Davey addressed concerns about housing, advocating for a community-led planning approach while defending the party against accusations of 'nimbyism'. He instructed new Lib Dem MPs to establish a lasting presence in former Tory seats, likening their resilience to that of Japanese knotweed. The conference also reinforced the party's commitment to tackling pressing issues such as NHS reform and the cost-of-living crisis, utilizing creative stunts to communicate their policies effectively. Overall, the Liberal Democrats aim to hold the government accountable while reinforcing their position as a significant political force in the UK.