7th October 2025
It passed almost unnoticed — in fact, only Sky News Online seems to have reported it — but the leader of the Liberal Democrats reshuffled his top team last week. The timing was impeccable, if you wanted to avoid attention: the Labour Party’s annual conference was in full swing, and most political journalists were focused elsewhere.
Among the changes, local MP Lisa Smart, who represents Hazel Grove, was moved from her previous high-profile position as the party’s Home Affairs Spokesperson to a new role covering the Cabinet Office.
Her replacement, Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson, takes on the Home Affairs brief — a role which traditionally includes responsibility for policing, justice, and civil liberties.
The reshuffle followed the resignation of frontbencher Josh Babarinde, who stepped down to concentrate on his campaign for Party President. What might have been a minor adjustment quickly expanded into a full-scale rearrangement of Ed Davey’s team, with several MPs changing briefs.
A Controversial Suggestion
Lisa Smart’s move comes just weeks after she caused a stir among party members by suggesting, in an online article, that the Liberal Democrats should “rethink” their long-standing opposition to Digital ID cards.
Her comments provoked a lively debate among activists, many of whom argued that introducing such a system would be fundamentally illiberal. “We’re the party that stands for individual rights and freedoms,” one member told the Gazette. “Digital ID cards go against everything we believe in.”
While some praised Smart for encouraging open discussion on how technology can modernise public services, others saw the move to a new portfolio as a demotion — a sign that the leadership wanted to distance itself from controversy.
Muted Response from the Leadership
The party leadership has not publicly commented on the reasons for the reshuffle. A spokesperson said only that the changes “reflect the depth of talent in our parliamentary team and ensure that the Liberal Democrats continue to hold this government to account.”
However, several sources have suggested that loyalty to the leader has become a key factor in appointments. One senior figure told the Gazette that some MPs had been “put in the freezer” for speaking out on internal matters, and that “only loyalty is rewarded.”
If true, such an approach could cause tension in a party that has long prided itself on its open internal debate and democratic culture.
Loyalty or Leadership?
Lisa Smart has long been viewed as one of the party’s most energetic campaigners and a strong advocate for Stockport and the wider Greater Manchester area. Before entering Parliament, she served as a councillor and has been active in local community projects, particularly around transport and education.
Her move from Home Affairs to the Cabinet Office brief may reduce her visibility nationally, but some insiders believe it could allow her to focus on issues closer to her constituency — including public services and government accountability.
A Party in Transition
The reshuffle also saw several rising figures promoted, including Jess Brown-Fuller (Justice), Charlie Maynard (Treasury), Will Forster (Immigration and Asylum), and Bobby Dean (Leader of the House of Commons).
Yet questions remain about the overall direction of the party. Some members worry that a strategy of keeping a low profile — described by one insider as “don’t frighten the horses” — risks making the Lib Dems appear cautious and indistinct at a time when voters are looking for clarity and conviction.
What Next for Smart?
As Westminster watchers turn their attention back from the party conferences, all eyes will be on whether Smart’s new brief allows her to reassert her liberal credentials — or whether this quiet reshuffle marks a shift in her political standing within the party.
