The Lib Dems’ Middle England revolution

At the general election the party toppled Tory fortresses once held by the likes of David Cameron ( Witney ) and Boris Johnson ( Henley and Thame ) A recent YouGov poll put the Lib Dems first in the south odutside of London .

After winning 72 seats more than any third party since 1923 they aim to supplant the Conservatives as the second largest force in local government.

Some believe Davey’s party must move further right to demolish what remains of the Blue Wall’ David Gauke , the former Conservative cabinet minister, tells me that “there is a bigger opportunity for them to pick up 2015 Cameron voters and make the Liberal Democrats their natural party” But in some areas, the Lib Dems have already positioned themselves to Labour 's right.