LONDON — If anyone’s going to miss the United Kingdom election campaign, it’s Ed Davey.
The Liberal Democrats leader has taken the six weeks of electioneering in stride, doing almost anything that will get him in front of a camera.
As the third party, the Lib Dems have to work harder for media attention than the Conservatives and Labour. In that task, if nothing else, Davey has scored 10 out of 10, performing all kinds of stunts — often involving water and plenty of physical activity — to spread his message.
The sheer madness of his campaign has prompted ridicule and arguments that it trivializes an important moment for the country. Davey, for his part, says he’s taking the campaign and policies seriously while not necessarily taking himself too seriously. The Lib Dem leader has also been attacked after holding the role of postal affairs minister during a major scandal.
POLITICO has rounded up the adventures of Ed Davey. Surely “I’m A Celebrity … ” (following in the footsteps of Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage) beckons.
May 28: Paddleboarding in Lake Windermere
The first of Davey’s campaign stunts caught everyone’s attention. The Lib Dem chief went paddleboarding and promptly fell into Lake Windermere numerous times. He later admitted deliberately plunging into the water once … You don’t say!
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May 29: Riding a bicycle
For cycling tips, follow the highway code, not Ed Davey. The Lib Dem leader launched his Welsh campaign cycling down a hill by taking his feet off the pedals. At least he was wearing a helmet.
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May 30: Flying down a slip ‘n’ slide
Davey channeled his inner child in Somerset by zooming down a slip ‘n’ slide, whooping and hollering as his float rushed through the water. Thank goodness the branding was largely yellow.
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May 31: Baking at a school
In the same week as the paddleboarding, Davey needed a slightly calmer activity to take the edge off his daring escapades. The Lib Dem leader went baking at a school and donned a chef’s hat in the process. Bon appétit.
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June 5: Playing “We Will Rock You” … on an exercise ball
Labour’s Keir Starmer used to play the flute, and Ed Davey … played Queen’s very own “We Will Rock You” on an exercise ball using drumsticks in a care home. Brian May would be proud. On a more somber note, that same day Davey was fined for speeding on the M1.
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June 10: Launching his manifesto at Thorpe Park
How could anyone forget? Given the drama of his campaign, it was inevitable a theme park would play a role. At Thorpe Park, Davey went on rides including “Rush,” and possibly enjoyed it more than his fellow candidates standing for election. He even managed an interview on the teacups, if watching it doesn’t make you feel too dizzy.
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June 12: Braving a water obstacle course
There’s nothing like a water obstacle course to put leaders to the test. Donning a lifejacket, wetsuit and yellow helmet, the Lib Dem leader attempted the tightrope walk in Warwickshire … and, you guessed it, fell straight in. Whoops!
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June 13: Getting a summer makeover on “This Morning“
Davey tried to target a different sort of audience by getting a summer makeover from the team on ITV daytime show “This Morning.” The Lib Dem leader strutted down the catwalk with his striped shirt, beige jacket and navy trousers, looking … remarkably similar to usual. Still, Australian actor Jason Donovan called him “sexy” (yes, really).
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June 17: Wheelbarrow racing
Davey took a leaf out of Starmer’s book by visiting a football ground where he did a wheelbarrow race and knocked over some cones. Great for burning calories … and the wheelbarrows were, of course, yellow.
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June 17: Building a sandcastle
In a slightly more unremarkable activity, Davey made a sandcastle, making sure a Lib Dem flag was flying high from it. “I would say those turrets aren’t that pronounced” was the view of BBC correspondent Jessica Parker, who was live at the scene. That’s him told.
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June 21: Outdoor drawing (with some photographer chaos)
Everyone is an artist at heart. The Lib Dem leader channeled this by drawing outside a college in Harrogate. While the weather was onside, the number of photographers so eager for a snap meant they knocked over a ceramic by accident and received a stern telling-off from staff. Careful now!
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June 22: Swing dancing
While Davey would describe himself as a most modern politician, he stepped back in time for some good old-fashioned swing dancing. Wearing a similar outfit to his summer makeover, his best efforts aren’t likely to see him win “Strictly Come Dancing” anytime soon … still, it’s the trying that counts.
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June 26: Performing CPR to the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive”
Despite Davey never claiming his campaign was on life support, the Lib Dem leader promoted the importance of knowing CPR and its potential life-saving effects by performing it on a dummy. Every day is an education.
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June 30: Aqua aerobics class
Yes, another water-related activity. This time, Davey slid into the final days of the campaign to Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” before waving a pool noodle around and jiving away to Taylor Swift songs at Cheltenham Lido. Who said politics was negative?
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July 1: Bungee jumping from a crane
Davey has nothing if not courage. The Lib Dem leader was strapped into a harness, put in a cage and thrown off a crane, an activity he’d not done before. What was the metaphor? To get people to do something they’d never done before and back the party. You get the picture.
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July 1: Zumba dancing
The same day Davey went bungee jumping, the Lib Dem leader was probably pleased to have his feet on more solid ground as he busted some Zumba moves — wearing, naturally, an orange T-shirt. Gotta keep on brand!
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July 1: Whizzing around in a doughnut
Water-based activities seem to be some of Davey’s favorites. The Lib Dem boss was whizzed around in an inflatable doughnut while visiting the Cotswolds. It’s certainly one way to enjoy a beautiful part of the country.
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July 2: Surfing
Once more with feeling! Having started his campaign falling off a paddle board, Davey drew it to a close attempting to surf … without much success. Visiting north Cornwall, he was frequently beaten by the waves. Still, the height of summer is just around the corner, so hopefully he can get some more practice in.
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July 3: Driving a tractor
Nobody ever wants to get stuck behind a tractor in traffic … unless Ed Davey’s at the wheel. The Lib Dem leader sped around at full speed, desperate to show he was truly on the side of farmers. Just don’t drop any hay bales.
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And here’s one serious moment …
Davey was widely praised for his party election broadcast showing life as a carer, both for his terminally ill late mother and his disabled son. The Lib Dem leader has spoken about being the “voice of carers,” suggesting he will fight for them in parliament. If it’s a good night for the party, that voice could be very loud indeed.
The post Ed Davey’s 19 top campaign stunts — and 1 serious moment appeared first on Politico.
