Ed Davey tried singing to Abba‘s Take A Chance On Me during his conference speech today – as he revealed he was ready to ‘put his hand up a cow’s behind’ to get votes during the election campaign.
The Lib Dem leader struggled to keep in tune as he came on stage to the pop classic and belted out a few lines, while activists clapped along. He also attempted a version of Sweet Caroline at the end.
Sir Ed told the audience he had been prepared to try the stunt with a cow, as well as wing-walking on a biplane, during his at-times bizarre push to July 4.
But he admitted he had been thwarted by ‘health and safety rules’.
Plans for the visceral photo op emerged as Sir Ed wrapped up the annual gathering in Brighton. Â
Ed Davey tried singing to Abba ‘s Take A Chance On Me during his conference speech today
Sir Ed brought all his MPs on stage before showing off his vocal prowess today
Sir Ed revealed he was ready to ‘put his hand up a cow’s behind’ to rustle up votes during the election campaign (file picture)
Sir Ed joked about his campaign activities, which included bungee jumping off a 160 foot crane
Hailing the campaign that boosted numbers of Lib Dem MPs to a record 72, Sir Ed said he had offered a ‘clear message of hope’ to seize a swathe of former Tory seats.
He praised Lib Dem rank and file for delivering ‘millions of leaflets’ and canvassing on doorsteps.
But Sir Ed also joked about his own activities, which included bungee jumping off a 160 foot crane, doing a water obstacle course, and paddleboarding.
‘Now I’m not supposed to tell you what stunt ideas were rejected – not least because they’re still trying to persuade me to do them at the next election,’ he said.
‘But I’ll let you into a little secret. It was only health and safety rules that stopped me putting my hand up a cow’s behind or wing walking on a biplane.’
Sir Ed has made clear his determination to continue the wacky photo ops in Brighton over recent days, posing on a jet ski.
The comments came as he fueled fears the resurgent Lib Dems could go easy on the Labour government – focusing his fire on the defeated Tories.
The Lib Dem leader tried his hand at paddleboarding during the election campaign
Sir Ed has made clear his determination to continue the wacky photo ops in Brighton over recent days, posing on a jet ski
The party leader vowed to ‘vanquish what is left’ of the Conservatives after Rishi Sunak was humbled at the election.
After gaining 57 seats, mainly at the expense of the Tories in southern and western England, Sir Ed’s speech referenced them by name more than 20 times. In contrast there were fewer than a dozen references to Labour.
And while he vowed to constructively stand up to Labour on issues like the NHS and social care he also pledged to work with Sir Keir Starmer where they can ‘improve people’s lives’.
