Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard quits frontbench to challenge Ed Davey

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament Charlie Maynard has resigned from the party's frontbench and called for party leader Sir Ed Davey to be replaced. BBC News and the Financial Times both reported that the Witney MP stepped down from his position as Treasury spokesman on Friday. Maynard's move was first reported by the Financial Times. [1][3]

Internal figures close to Sir Ed acknowledged to BBC News that a small group of Liberal Democrat MPs are dissatisfied with his leadership, with Maynard being part of that group. Party deputy leader Daisy Cooper told BBC News that the vast majority of Liberal Democrat MPs support Sir Ed, want him to lead the party into the next election, and are furious at the distraction. [1]

Sir Ed Davey has served as Leader of the Liberal Democrats since 2019. He previously served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change from 2012 to 2015 during the Cameron and Clegg coalition government, and held the role of deputy leader under Jo Swinson in 2019. He has represented Kingston and Surbiton as a Member of Parliament since 2017, having previously held the seat from 1997 to 2015. [5]

BBC News reported that it has approached Maynard for comment regarding his resignation. [1]