During the Liberal Democrats' conference in Brighton, leader Sir Ed Davey emphasized the party's commitment to holding the Conservative government accountable while also expressing a willingness to collaborate with Labour on critical issues. He criticized the Tories' handling of the NHS and vowed to 'vanquish' the party, which he claimed left an 'appalling legacy of failure'. Additionally, Davey called for a return to the EU single market, sparking backlash from Brexiteers who accused the Lib Dems of attempting to rejoin the EU 'through the backdoor'. The party celebrated its recent gains, securing 72 seats in Parliament, and Davey pledged to repay the trust placed in them by voters. Meanwhile, Conservative figures criticized Davey's approach, with some labeling the Lib Dems as merely a protest party. The conference highlighted both the Lib Dems' ambitions and the tensions with opposition parties regarding Brexit and governance.