The outcome of the general election on 4 July 2024 was extraordinary. Compared to the 2019 election, the Liberal Democrats’ share of the vote rose by less than 1 per cent, to 12.2 per cent, but the number of MPs jumped from 11 (plus 4 by-election gains) to 72, the highest number since 1923.

Highly effective targeting of campaigning resources and a narrowly focused message, combined with an unprecedented collapse in the Conservative vote and a high degree of tactical voting by anti-Tory voters meant that, for the first time ever, the first-past-the-post electoral system did not seriously disadvantage the party. With 10.9% of the total number of MPs, the discrepancy between Liberal votes and seats is the smallest since 1910. Traditional areas of strength in south-west and northern England and northern Scotland lost in 2015 were regained, and joined by new seats in East Anglia and, especially, in southern England.

The Liberal Democrat campaign and what the result means for the party was discussed with Professor Paula Surridge (Bristol University) and Dave McCobb (Director of Field Campaigns, Liberal Democrats). Chair: Lord Wallace of Saltaire.