Sir Ed Davey combines serious policy with lighthearted fun to connect with voters.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey embraced a more playful side during his campaign trail by heading to Thorpe Park after unveiling the party’s election manifesto. In a bid to show voters that he can be both a serious politician and someone who knows how to have fun, Davey took to the theme park’s rides, including the teacups and log flume.
Speaking at the theme park in Chertsey, Surrey, he joked that “politics can be a rollercoaster ride,” inviting the public to join in the experience. “We’ve had our serious manifesto launch this morning, focusing on issues like health and social care, particularly our plan to rescue the NHS,” Davey explained. “Now, we thought we’d have some fun too.”
When questioned about balancing serious policy with lighthearted moments, he explained that while he takes voters’ concerns seriously, it’s important not to take himself too seriously. “You want to show you’re a normal person,” he added, referring to his personal background as a carer, which shaped much of his approach to policy. “Even when my mum was dying, we had laughs together.”
After launching the manifesto, Davey tackled the park’s Rush ride, which swings passengers 75 feet high at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, and Colossus, the world’s first rollercoaster with 10 loops. He was joined by Sarah Olney and Munira Wilson, both former MPs and candidates, though Wilson skipped the splashy Tidal Wave ride.
Despite the fun, Sir Ed remained focused on his party’s key messages, showing a lighter side to politics while promoting serious proposals.
