# Lib Dems plunge into civil war as frontbencher quits amid coup rumours

> Lib Dems face internal crisis after frontbencher quits and coup rumours target leader Ed Davey.
- Title: Lib Dems plunge into civil war as frontbencher quits amid…
- Summary: Lib Dems face internal crisis after frontbencher quits and coup rumours target leader Ed Davey. Lib Dems leader Ed Davey faces potential ouster after…
- Keywords: lib dems, ed davey, charlie maynard, coup, treasury spokesman, parliamentary no confidence vote, reform uk, liberal democrats, news, entertainment, Lib, Dems
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16196881/Now-Lib-Dems-plunge-civil-war-frontbencher-quits-amid-rumours-coup-against-Ed-Davey.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-09T15:20:28+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lib dems, ed davey, charlie maynard, coup, treasury spokesman, parliamentary no confidence vote, reform uk, liberal democrats, news, entertainment
## Lib Dems plunge into civil war
Lib Dems have plunged into civil war amid reports of a bid to topple leader Ed Davey.
## Charlie Maynard quits
Charlie Maynard, the MP for Witney, has quit as the party's Treasury spokesman.
## Coup rumours
Reports of a brewing coup with Maynard asking parliamentary colleagues to back a vote of no confidence in the leader.
## Lib Dem disarray
Disquiet has been mounting in Lib Dem ranks over the lack of progress in the polls despite returning a record 72 MPs two years ago.
## Daisy Cooper supports Ed Davey
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper backed Sir Ed saying the 'vast majority' of MPs wanted him to remain as leader.
## Helen Morgan defends Ed Davey
Helen Morgan, who holds the health brief, said she would not sign the letter and was 'furious at this distraction'.
## James MacCleary criticizes coup
Defence spokesman James MacCleary posted on X: 'This move is poorly judged when we should be concentrating on defeating the far right'.
## Joshua Reynolds supports Ed Davey
Trade spokesman Joshua Reynolds said Ed was 'the most successful leader in Lib Dem history'.
## Victoria Collins praises Ed Davey
Science spokeswoman Victoria Collins posted on X: 'Ed led us to a historic win as Liberal Democrats'.
## Maynard declines comment
Mr Maynard declined to comment.
## Polls show decline
Since 2024 the Lib Dems have gained little ground in the polls with YouGov research putting the party at 11 per cent.
## Ed Davey's stance
Ed Davey said the Lib Dems are 'the last line of defence against a Reform UK government'.
## Lib Dem unity
Ed Davey stated the party is 'in the fight of our lives against the right who want to turn our country into their version of Trump's America'.
## Coup threat
The Lib Dems have plunged into civil war amid an apparent bid to topple leader Ed Davey.
## Key takeaway

Lib Dems leader Ed Davey faces potential ouster after frontbencher Charlie Maynard quits as Treasury spokesman amid coup rumours.