To Sir Ed Davey’s Liberal Democrats. The fun-loving party made headlines during the general election campaign after its party leader was pictured on paddleboards, waterslides and even a bungee jump during the lead-up to the July poll. But while the party’s strategy appeared all fun and games from afar, the Lib Dems were working far more tactically behind the scenes. Embarking on a mission to mercilessly target Tory areas, the Liberal Democrats used a rather, er, original rule of thumb to identify voters looking to jump ship: ‘Does their constituency have a Gail’s?’
Going after consistencies that housed the luxury bakery chain appeared to work in Davey’s favour – with the party emerging from the election with a whopping 72 MPs, up from 11. But it would appear that Davey has not altogether ditched this policy post-election. In fact, as revealed in parliamentary questions, the Liberal Democrats seem to have doubled down on their pastry politics. Submitting a rather unconventional query, the party’s MP for Henley and Thame Freddie van Mierlo quizzed Environment Secretary Steve Reed on the, um, composition of sourdough bread. Good to see the Lib Dems have their eyes on the issues that matter, eh?
But while some may argue this particular Liberal Democrat interest is not a top priority, Davey’s lot are enjoying a bounce in the polls at present – as the party records its highest vote share ever in a More In Common poll today, at 17 per cent. The Lib Dem leader has been lauded as the only major party leader vocally standing up to Donald Trump, while pollster Luke Tryl suggested the party’s rising popularity may be due to its ability to ‘tap into wider left-wing discontent with Labour’. And perhaps its strategy of placating pastry lovers is helping too. If it ain’t broke…
Comments