This morning’s local elections launch was everything we have come to expect from the Liberal Democrats. In leafy Henley, Ed Davey galloped around on a hobby horse, while gamely activists lustily cheered him on. Infantile? Yes. But such tactics are effective too. Sir Ed is clearly happy to reprise his role as the Mr Tumble of British politics, having slid, paddle-boarded and bungee-jumped his way to 59 gains in England last July. These included 44 seats in the south – something Davey is keen to build on this time around. ‘These local elections are a chance for the Liberal Democrats to replace the Conservatives as the party of Middle England’, he told journalists today.
There are 20 Tory-run councils up for election in four weeks’ time.
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