Skip to content

Local elections 2023: Davey unveils latest Lib Dem election victory prop

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey unveiled a countdown clock, as he claimed Rishi Sunak's time in Downing Street is running out.

The Lib Dems are making strong early gains, at the expense of the Tories, at the English local elections in key target areas like Windsor, where the clock stunt took place.

Sir Ed has previously taken a hammer to a blue wall over and popped a blue balloon to celebrate electoral success for his party.

Tory losses disappointing, PM says, as local election results come in

5 May 2023

England local elections 2023

Liberal Democrats

Explore More

Ed Davey om a jet ski on still green water

Lib Dem leader arrives at conference by jet ski

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer's first PMQs as prime minister... in 90 seconds

Wales general election roundup

What happened in the general election in Wales?

Composite picture of Starmer holding hands with wife and Sunak holding hands with wife

Watch party leaders casting their votes

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer

Election 2024 campaign: Do you remember these highlights?

Scotland Politics

Ed Davery surfing

Sir Ed Davey makes a splash surfing in Cornwall

Ed Davey bungee jumps in latest stunt

Watch: Ed Davey bungee jumps in latest stunt

Ed Davey and Nick Robinson

Ed Davey denies Lib Dems tend to oppose housebuilding

Ros Atkins

Ros Atkins: Is Brexit still important to voters?

The BBC visited Caerfyrddin to speak to its election candidates

Meet the candidates standing in Caerfyrddin

Ed Davey speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg

Ed Davey says stunts are to showcase policies

Ben Chu in studio

A quick take on the Liberal Democrat manifesto

Ed Davey

Watch: Ed Davey rides rollercoasters after manifesto launch

Ed Davey

Ed Davey: This is a manifesto to save the NHS

Rishi Sunak speaking while a boat of Liberal Democrats sail past with signs

Lib Dems photobomb the PM in campaign boat

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey stands in front of party supporters as he speaks to the media at the London Recreation Ground in Camberley, Surrey, on 22 May 2024 after a General Election was called for July 4.

People are crying out for change - Ed Davey

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey

Lib Dem leader quizzes PM on DWP 'hounding' carers

Two Labour supporters clap and cheer

Key moments from the local elections... in 60 seconds

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey with people in dinosaur costumes

People have had enough of 'out-of-touch' government - Lib Dems leader

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.