General elections are strange things, particularly for the Lib Dems. For a few weeks, broadcasters are compelled to actually give them attention. This time around, the party has decided not just to wait for outlets to fulfil their legal obligations. Instead, they are making a splash, literally, with leader Sir Ed Davey taking part in a host of high-profile stunts.
We’ve seen the former environment secretary on, and then off, a paddle board, hurtling down a slip ‘n’ slide and banging an exercise ball with pensioners to ‘We Will Rock You’. There’s also been a giant Jenga set. All-in-all, it seems like Sir Ed is having much more fun than his rivals. The question is whether, in serious times, this is all appropriate.
The party is essentially exploiting the First-Past-the-Past electoral system it wants to get rid of
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron is, at least, fully supportive of the stunts. ‘I think they’re great,’ he told me.
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