![Embracing embarrassment Davey's gameshow approach makes a splash](https://cdn.magzter.com/1588175106/1718582495/articles/LWpoJ0vh11718593120504/EMBRACING-EMBARRASSMENT-DAVEYS-GAMESHOW-APPROACH-MAKES-A-SPLASH.jpg)
On Monday, he conducted an interview on a spinning teacup in a funfair; on Wednesday, he tumbled into a pool at a Warwickshire water park live on the BBC - then, on Thursday, he was dressed in a linen suit and panama hat in a makeover on ITV's This Morning.
This gameshow approach to politics is hardly new for Davey or his small party, lying fourth in election polling. A fortnight earlier, Davey fell off a paddleboard into Windermere in Cumbria five times in 15 minutes at a campaign event with party colleague Tim Farron.
It was intended to highlight the dangers of sewage being dumped into the lake, though it did not stop the party leader repeatedly falling in. One of the five dunkings, he admitted afterwards, was deliberate - the other four presumably accidental.
Lib Dem insiders argue bluntly that the approach is necessary, because the most serious risk for the party, behind Labour, Conservatives and Nigel Farage's Reform UK, is simply not being in the national conversation.
Falling into the water or riding in a fairground, they add, grants Davey the right to be heard on other issues, though it helps, with Labour so far ahead, that the party is not burdened with the prospect of forming even part of a government.
Sean Kemp, a Lib Dem head of press during the 2010 election, said that for the party's leaders, "dignity has to be less important than coverage sometimes". It is also helpful to keep any journalists in the travelling press pack entertained, he added, because "they are often grumpy, thinking they are not where the story is".
Denne historien er fra June 17, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra June 17, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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