Lighter political moments of 2024: From a soggy Sunak to Davey’s antics
Lighter political moments of 2024: From a soggy Sunak to Davey’s antics
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From an outgoing prime minister battling on without a brolly to the protected status of pie and mash, lighter political moments were not in short supply in 2024. With a general election in July and plenty of serious stories across 2024, here is the PA news agency’s look back at this year’s lighter moments from the world of public affairs.
– Sunak serenaded in the rain. The general election campaign got off to a soggy start in May as then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made the election announcement without an umbrella in the midst of a downpour. Dampening the spirits of the prime minister even further was a large set of speakers pressed up against the gates of Downing Street playing Things Can Only Get Better – a hit from the 90s which was the sound of Tony Blair’s 1997 general election soundtrack – which almost drowned out his speech.
Appearing to take the situation in good spirits, Mr Sunak later quipped that he was not “a fair weather politician”. – Sir Ed’s election antics. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey appeared to thoroughly enjoy himself during the election campaign, getting up to all sorts of antics in a bid to win votes.
On a visit to the Lake District, the Liberal Democrat leader took a plunge into Lake Windermere while paddleboarding in a wetsuit and lifejacket in May. In June, Sir Ed headed to Thorpe Park to “have fun” following the launch of his party’s manifesto – when asked about the visit, he said that “politics can be a rollercoaster ride”.
