# Davey targets Reform and Musk at Lib Dem conference

> Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attacks Reform UK's funding and populism as his party opens its annual conference in Brighton.
- Title: Davey targets Reform and Musk at Lib Dem conference | Shortify
- Summary: Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attacks Reform UK's funding and populism as his party opens its annual conference in Brighton. Ed Davey told Liberal…
- Keywords: ed davey, liberal democrats, reform uk, nigel farage, elon musk, populism, lib dem conference, brighton, uk politics, news, world, Davey
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/19/ed-davey-takes-aim-at-reform-and-elon-musk-as-lib-dem-conference-begins
- Published: 2026-09-19T21:37:52+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ed davey, liberal democrats, reform uk, nigel farage, elon musk, populism, lib dem conference, brighton, uk politics, news, world
## Davey opens fire on Reform
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attacked Reform UK and Elon Musk at his party's Brighton conference, vowing to defeat populism.
## Reform's seventy two million pound arsenal
Davey accused Reform of being funded by crypto billionaires with seventy two million pounds to spread anger, hatred and lies.

> they fight because two crypto billionaires gave them 72 million quid
## Don't let them grind you down
Davey told delegates Reform hoped anger and hatred would wear them down until they gave up the fight.

> that the anger and the hatred and the lies will grind us down until eventually we just give up
## Apartheid to racism today
Davey drew parallels between his student campaign against apartheid investments and fighting racism funded by the world's richest man today.
## Lib Dems announce policy plans
Health spokesperson Helen Morgan unveiled a six hundred million pound maternity care plan. Education spokesperson Munira Wilson promised one hundred hours work experience for students.
## Party won't be ground down
Davey said Lib Dems would not tire or give up fighting, hoping Reform would see a party that refuses to be deterred.

> a party that won't be ground down. That won't be deterred. That won't give up the fight.
## Key takeaway

Ed Davey told Liberal Democrats they must defeat Reform UK's populism, accusing the party of being funded by crypto billionaires to spread lies.