Ed Davey attempted to sing Abba’s Take A Chance On Me during his conference speech today – as he revealed he was prepared to ‘put his hand up a cow’s back’ to get votes during the election campaign.
The Lib Dem leader struggled to keep up as he took to the stage to the pop classic and belted out a few lines, while activists applauded. He even tried a version of Sweet Caroline at the end.
Sir Ed told the audience that he had been prepared to try falling with a cow, as well as walking the wing in a biplane, during his strange July 4 push.
But he admitted he had been put off by “health and safety rules”.
Plans for the visceral photo op emerged as Sir Ed wrapped up the annual meeting in Brighton.
Ed Davey attempted to sing 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 back’ to drum up votes during the election campaign (file photo)
Sir Ed joked about his campaign activities, which included bungee jumping from a 160ft crane
Hailing the campaign which increased the number of Lib Dem MPs to a record 72, Sir Ed said he had offered a “clear message of hope” to take a swath of former Tory seats.
He praised Lib Dem rank and file for delivering “millions of leaflets” and door-to-door research..
But Sir Ed also joked about his activities, which include bungee jumping from a 160ft crane, doing a water obstacle course and paddleboarding.
“Now I shouldn’t say that the stunt ideas have been rejected – not least because they are still trying to convince me to do them at the next election,” he said.
‘But I’ll let you in on a little secret. It was only health and safety rules that prevented me from putting my hand on a cow’s back or the walking wing on a biplane.
Sir Ed has made clear his determination to continue the extravagant photo ops in Brighton in recent days, posing on a jet ski.
The comments came as he fueled fears that the resurgent Lib Dems could ease into the Labor government – focusing their fire on the defeated Tories.
The Lib Dem leader tried his hand at paddleboarding during the election campaign
Sir Ed has made his determination to continue the photo extravaganza in Brighton clear in recent days, posing on a jet ski.
The party leader has vowed to “win what’s left” of the Conservatives after Rishi Sunak was humiliated at the election.
Having won 57 seats, mainly at the expense of the Tories in southern and western England, Sir Ed’s speech referred to them by name more than 20 times. In contrast, there were less than a dozen references to Labour.
And while he promised to meet constructively with Labor on issues such as the NHS and social care, he also promised to work with Sir Keir Starmer where they could “improve people’s lives”.