How Margaret Thatcher was responsible for the first ever election stunt by posing with a calf in her arms, spawning the stage-managed campaigns we see today - with Ed Davey taking it way too far By Shannon Mcguigan Published: 08:59, 23 June 2024 | Updated: 08:59, 23 June 2024 e-mail View comments From going down watersides with journalists to falling from a paddle boat into the chilly waters of Windemere, Ed Davey has official taken the political stunt crown for this general election campaign. The Liberal Democrat leader hasn't shied away from a photo opportunity - following in the footsteps of many politicians famed for their hilarious PR moves. We have seen the likes of British Johnson get stuck on a zip wire in Victoria Park as the ex-London mayor celebrated the 2012 Olympics , while more recently Labour MP for Brent East Dawn Butler dropped a rap video urging people to vote.
The recent flurry of bizarre stunts may seem unconventional, but they have been a long-standing tradition in UK politics starting with the Iron Lady herself - Margaret Thatcher. The Iron Lady herself - Margaret Thatcher - inadvertently sparked the tradition of stunts during election campaigns when a baby calf was placed in her arms in 1979 Margaret Thatcher and the baby calf The photo that sparked political stunts in Britain - ex-Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher cradling a baby cow. The historic moment was captured whilst The Iron Lady was on her 1979 election campaign, hopeful she would land her fee.
