Sir Ed Davey, who was elected to the top job last week, kicked off his "listening tour" of the UK by working a shift at Taylors in Stockport, Cheshire.

The local constituency of Hazel Grove was held by the Lib Dems for more than 20 years before losing it in 2015 to the Conservatives, who have kept the seat ever since.

The MP for Surbiton in Surrey said the arch-Remain party that campaigned for a second referendum over Brexit is now firmly in listening mode after three successive general election drubbings.

"This is the start of quite a long journey. I want to go around the whole of the United Kingdom talking to people, but mainly listening. It's a listening tour," the 54-year-old said.

"I think the party has been talking to itself too much and not talking to ordinary people and listening and reflecting their concerns, and that's what I'm determined we do again."

On Brexit, Sir Ed said his party's position is not now arguing to re-join the European Union but to be close to the bloc.

"This isn't about a photo op," the politician said on Friday after posing for photographs.

"Some politicians go and do a photo op and leave; I've been here three hours, four hours. A whole lunchtime shift, most of the time without any press, any media, because if you do it that way people open up."

Asked what his party is going to offer voters, Sir Ed said: "Come back in 10 months."

Australian Associated Press