Sir Ed Davey unveiled the Liberal Democrats’ election manifesto and then set off on a rollercoaster ride.
The Liberal Democrat leader has attracted media attention with a series of stunts during the election campaign.
With his unusual election tactics, he managed to gain publicity throughout the election campaign for the Liberal Democrats, who otherwise often fight for airtime.
After launching his party’s manifesto in central London, Sir Ed announced: “I was told an election is a rollercoaster ride.
“So, I’m going to go on a roller coaster.”
He headed to Thorpe Park, near Staines, just outside London, for several outings in the company of other Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates, including Sarah Olney, who is standing for re-election in Richmond Park.
Sir Ed has already fallen off a paddleboard on Lake Windermere, apparently without accident.
He slid down a water slide in Frome, Somerset.
He also idled his bicycle along a main road in Wales.
He baked cakes with children from High Beeches Primary School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and fried burgers at a D-Day event in Wiltshire.
His election campaign has so far been far more light-hearted than the seriousness of the Labour Party and the Tories.
But he refrained from making jokes and focused on his manifesto, entitled “For a Fair Deal”, which says the Liberal Democrats would fund a £9.4 billion package of support for the NHS and social care in England by raising taxes on banks and closing loopholes exploited by the super-rich.
The Liberal Democrats hope to win dozens of seats on July 4.
It is the Liberal Democrats’ first election manifesto since Jo Swinson presented the 96-page “Stop Brexit – Build a Brighter Future” programme in 2019.
More than three years after the 2016 referendum on EU membership, the party’s guiding clause pledged to keep “Britain at the heart” of the now 27-nation bloc, adding: “By working together in the EU, the countries of Europe have achieved peace and prosperity on a continent historically plagued by war and division.”
“This is a tremendous achievement that should not be taken for granted, especially as Europe faces new threats from an increasingly aggressive Russia and the United States turns away from its old allies.”
The Liberal Democrats secured 11 seats.
Other past manifestos have included ‘Change Britain’s Future’ (2017, Tim Farron, 12 seats won), ‘Stronger Economy, Fairer Society, Opportunity for All’ (2015, Nick Clegg, eight seats) and ‘Change That Works For You’ (2010, Nick Clegg, 57 seats).
