Lib Dems should ditch Ed Davey’s stunts and talk policy, survey finds

Thinktank poll reveals voters unclear what party stands for despite photo opportunities winning more media coverage

The Liberal Democrats should drop their stunts and offer a more serious policy programme if they want to gain support among voters, according to a study presented at the party's annual conference.

Polling by the More in Common thinktank, shown to Lib Dem members at the gathering in Bournemouth, suggested that while it has the scope to go beyond its historic total of 72 MPs at the last election, many voters tempted by the party remain uncertain about what it stands for.