Home Featured Ed Davey’s 19 top campaign stunts — and 1 serious moment – POLITICO
Ed Davey’s 19 top campaign stunts — and 1 serious moment – POLITICO

Ed Davey’s 19 top campaign stunts — and 1 serious moment – POLITICO

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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).

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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!

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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?

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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!

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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.

Stuntman rating:

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.

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