Nigel Farage is "a threat to our country and to our democracy", Sir Ed Davey has said as he warned that Reform UK's plans to deport migrants could lead to a Windrush-style scandal.
The Liberal Democrat leader also refused to rule out forming a coalition with Labour to keep out Reform from power and said that he would meet with Donald Trump if he were Prime Minister.
Speaking to GB News at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, Sir Ed repeatedly namechecked the Reform UK leader.
He said: "He is a threat to our country and to our democracy.
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"What he wants to do, and that’s why he looks a bit like Donald Trump, is he wants to bring Trump’s America to the United Kingdom.
"People who care about British values don’t want to be and an adjunct to Trump’s America."
These included adopting "America-style health insurance" in the UK, for example.
Sir Ed also took aim at Reform's new plan to abolish the right of migrants to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK after five years and reapply for new visas with tougher rules to cut the benefits bill.
Sir Ed Davey sat down with Christopher Hope at the end of the Liberal Democrat conference
|GB NEWS
He said it could create a Windrush-style scandal and tear families apart.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: "Nigel Farage has not clearly thought this through.
"He has not worked out the impact on red tape or on taxes.
"He has not realised that lots of this people have made their lives here, contributing to businesses, to the health service.
Sir Ed Davey and Christopher Hope in Bournemouth
|GB NEWS
"And what I think people are really worried are people who have no right to be here."
Sir Ed added that the Liberal Democrats would be open to new digital ID cards if they were not controlled by a central database.
He told GB News: "It’s something they are calling digital identity.
"That could mean empowering individuals so they can access their public services and they are in control and the state doesn't have a role."
Christopher Hope holding up one of the Liberal Democrats' plastic patriot figures
|GB NEWS
However, the Liberal Democrats would "absolutely oppose" any plans for "a centralised database where the state can watch you, control you".
"But if it puts the individual in charge and gives the individual more freedom and not the state, well we are liberals we believe in freedom," Sir Ed added.
The Liberal Democrat leader also said he would attend the state banquet with Donald Trump if he became Prime Minister, insisting: "I have no problem engaging with someone I disagree with."
However, Sir Ed boycotted last week's dinner in protest over Gaza.
Reform UK Nigel Farage could face a united left-wing force at the next General Election
|PA
Sir Ed also did not rule out forming a coalition to keep Mr Farage out of No10 after the next General Election.
He said: "My view, my job as Liberal Democrat Leader is to win as many Liberal Democrats MPs and seats as we can possibly can."
Opinion polls suggest Reform UK is currently on track to win a majority of seats at the next General Election.
Techne's latest survey puts Reform UK's support at 30 per cent, with Labour in second on 20 per cent.
Tory support is down to just 19 per cent, marginally ahead of the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent.
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