As general election antics unfold over the next few weeks, our UK Public Affairs team will be analysing the major parties’ campaign strategies in our Who’s Top Who’s Not series.
Top: Ed Davey
It can’t be easy to be the forgotten child of party politics. But, like all good middle children, Davey has discovered that the best way to get attention is by playing the fool.
With Starmer and Sunak at pains to appear competent and serious, Davey’s performance of a bumbling politician does undeniably stand out in comparison. Just this week, we’ve seen Ed having a “wheelie” great time (his words, not mine) on bikes, water slides and on a kayak.
With the country struggling over the last few years, the public are desperate for a reprieve. Perhaps that’s why Davey’s stunts are enjoying a significant amount of coverage for what is essentially a middle-aged man having a nice time doing Butlins-esque holiday activities.
He may look silly, but these photo stunts also serve a serious political purpose. All the available airtime is getting sucked up by Tory and Labour announcements; the Lib Dems need to get noticed for the public to give them a chance to be heard and if it takes Ed Davey repeatedly getting wet to do so, then so be it.
Middle: Keir Starmer
Starmer has been laser focused on winning the general election and when internal dissent has arisen following his policy on Gaza or his approach to the selection process, the dissenters have been squashed.
This has resulted in a series of Starmer allies on Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) being selected for safe Labour seats where incumbent Labour MPs are retiring. Some on the left of the party have also been suspended and told that they are no longer eligible to stand. The Leader’s office sees candidate selection as vital to their prospects of governing effectively and they want as many potential future ministers available as possible.
So far, so ruthless.
However, the strain this tactic is causing is already palpable. Case in point: Diane Abbott. She has been suspended for over a year, then had the suspension lifted, only then to have been allegedly told that she still couldn't stand. Abbott has now said that she will stand in Hackney regardless.
What a mess.
Labour has got itself into a tight spot over Abbott and, whilst it is unfortunate that this row has played out in public, it does still reinforce Starmer’s central message that Labour has changed.
Not: Lucy Allan
Lucy got loose from her Conservative party membership this week by publicly declaring her support for a Reform UK parliamentary candidate.
Stoking the fires of despondent Conservatives, her resounding show of support for Reform UK is reflective of the mood of many Tory voters.
Whilst Lucy’s defection is embarrassing for Sunak, the writing has been on the wall for the Conservatives for a long time. Lucy Allan is just the latest to kick the Conservative’s general election campaign whilst the party is already down.