Lib Dem leader Davey pledges to 'stop the boats' in shift on asylum rhetoric

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has pledged to "stop the boats" and called for the UK to join the EU migration pact, enabling returns of Channel-crossing asylum seekers. The rhetoric, first signalled at the party's September 2025 conference, breaks with the Liberal Democrats' traditionally humanitarian tone. The policy retains liberal elements, including the right to work during processing.