Ed Davey’s moving video about caring for his son proves he isn’t (just) this election’s laughing stock
Ed Davey’s moving video about caring for his son proves he isn’t this election’s laughing stock
Up until yesterday, Ed Davey’s election campaign had been the butt of jokes made by online pundits. And it’s easy to see why. With Labour predicted to walk into Number 10 come July 5th, it looked like the Liberal Democrat leader wasn’t taking the political race seriously.
This is just a smattering of his larks.
Ed Davey genuinely does more fun activities during an election campaign than I do on holiday pic.twitter.com/50jvbI7Azg
— Shehab Khan ITV (@ShehabKhan) June 5, 2024
It hadn’t gone unnoticed that compared to the other parties, the Lib Dems were the comic relief.
Tories: We’re going to feed all under 25yos into a mincing machine & stuff 70s pillows with the mince
Labour: *calling security on every Left Wing Black & Asian woman they can see*
Reform: *constantly on telly*
Greens: *never on telly*
Lib Dems: Wheeeee, I’m on a slide— Gabby Hutchinson Crouch (@Scriblit) May 30, 2024
Even his ill-timed fine for speeding on the M1 was treated as the latest in a long line of his clownish japes.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been fined for speeding on the M1 motorway.
Read more https://t.co/34FPaoehmv
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 5, 2024
I’m starting to get the feeling that Ed Davey is just a normal fella and that he has no idea that he’s a politician
— Henry Taylor (@Henry_Taylor04) June 5, 2024
This is by far the most exciting thing to ever happen to the Liberal Democrats.
— Western Exile (@westernexile) June 5, 2024
So it was all the more surprising when he decided to shift into serious gear yesterday with a video where he talks about caring for his disabled teenage son, John, and the wider importance of social care in our society.
And it’s gone viral because it’s pulled on people’s heartstrings in a way that none of the other parties have.
Caring isn’t just my family’s story, it is the story of millions, caring for each other, dealing with tough times, and keeping going with love.
Sharing our story hasn’t been easy, but it’s important. It’s time to bring carers’ experiences into the light.pic.twitter.com/osj0bh33QI
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 5, 2024
Has he turned his image around? Because all of these people were moved rather than amused.
Politics can be so nasty and divisive. And politicians can be very wary about revealing too much about themselves. I don’t know @EdwardJDavey – but this is just lovely. We need more room for kindness in our society. https://t.co/N9Nsjo0tsf
— Prof Alice Roberts (@theAliceRoberts) June 5, 2024
Impressive. https://t.co/y1H7gc6vWb
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) June 5, 2024
I found this incredibly affecting. Gave me a chance to see the man behind the stunts; someone who comes across as warm and gentle and sincere. https://t.co/JziV75hhTj
— Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) June 5, 2024
I genuinely hope that however the election turns out, the party of government put Ed Davey in charge of a complete overhaul of all aspects of social care, possibly even giving him a seat at Cabinet. We have to care better as a country, and he may be the man to lead reform. https://t.co/rtzU22TVir
— David K Smith (@professor_dave) June 6, 2024
Ed won’t be PM but this video reminds me that it’s been a very long time since we’ve been presented with an actual, proper human to run the country, hasn’t it?
It’s just been a parade of careerists and the the power hungry for too long https://t.co/IWz8mERE1H— Athena Kugblenu (@athenakugblenu) June 5, 2024
I’m as cynical & bitter as the next hack but I am genuinely delighted someone is campaigning like this on social care. He’s right: it is the story of millions https://t.co/pK2dUOOLIl
— gabyhinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) June 5, 2024
Even fellow Ed and former Labour MP Ed Balls heaped on the praise.
This is deeply moving and special and so important for the future of our country that we take seriously what Ed Davey says.. https://t.co/Q5q75dlkJG
— Ed Balls (@edballs) June 5, 2024
It even put all of his previous stunts in a new light.
This is the best political advert I’ve seen so far in this election. Makes me glad he’s been able to go on so many log flumes. https://t.co/d4YWw8VIhv
— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) June 5, 2024
So could this be the start of a new chapter in his political career? People seem to hope so.
Before I moved to Oxford, Ed Davey was my MP and I went to his constituency office to talk about my experiences of disability discrimination. I’d never been spoken to in such an empathetic way by a politician. Hopefully the polls are right and he becomes Leader of the Opposition. https://t.co/NulHP0QbEU
— Max Morris (@Max_Morris) June 5, 2024
You know what:
I don’t care. Starting to really like this guy.
This is just a breath of fresh air. https://t.co/W5nQMLXVam
— Disappointed Optimist (@disappoptimism) June 5, 2024
To conclude …
This is terribly good. Really terribly good. https://t.co/T4U8L4MVtS
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) June 5, 2024
Source @EdwardJDavey
