Sheffield: Sir Ed Davey targets Hallam seat for Lib Dem win

Sir Ed said a big investment in the renewable energy industry could create “huge jobs” in Sheffield. He promised to support transport infrastructure and boost social housing.

“We’ve got a plan for 150,000 new social homes every year,” Sir Ed told the BBC.

“We’d fund that through borrowing because it’s a capital investment, but with people finding affordable housing difficult to come by, I think that’s a good strategy.”

When asked whether he was worried the Liberal Democrats would be squeezed out by Labour and the Conservatives, Sir Ed said the polls told a different story.

“We have the potential of being the surprise of this election,” he said.

“In vast parts of the south of England and the south west, we’re the only ones to vote for if you want to get rid of the Conservatives.”

In Yorkshire, he was looking at Sheffield Hallam and Harrogate as two seats the party could possibly win.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was also in the region today, visiting the Germany Beck development in the York suburb of Fulford.