The 8 silliest election photos from the past week
Photographers are on hand to provide light relief during election campaigns. It's a valuable public service...
The start of the general election campaign has seen the political parties set out their pitches to the nation. Rishi Sunak has promised to "transform" a country his party has been governing for 14 years and Sir Keir Starmer has seemingly mentioned the word "change" in every speech he's given.
Thankfully, light relief can be found during any election campaign. A prerequisite for politicians seeking office is to go out every day and meet actual people. Without fail, this leads to funny/awkward/cringeworthy photos - and this week was no different.
On a visit to Niftylift in Milton Keynes unfortunate positioning on the factory floor made Sunak resemble Mickey Mouse.
In a 19-month premiership characterised by setbacks, the PM was able to celebrate a win after being shown how to splice a wire during his visit to Wildanet Technical Training Academy in Liskeard, Cornwall.
Sunak also showed off his football "skills" during a visit to Chesham United Football Club.
Over on the Labour campaign trail, a baby at Worcester City Football Club was more interested in the camera lens than would-be PM Starmer.
For some reason, Starmer's deputy Angela Rayner marshalled a plane onto the stand during a visit to London Stansted airport.
But to round off the week, here's a Sir Ed Davey special. The Liberal Democrat leader has been having the time of his life, first paddleboarding on Lake Windermere...
...and then bike riding in Knighton, Wales...
and finally riding down a water slide in Frome, Somerset.
As political journalist Anne McElvoy said in her "i" newsletter on Thursday: "Davey has now decided to own the 'stunts' tag with gusto. Given that the previous charge against him was that his leadership of a rump party has been ineffectual and that his brush with the Post Office scandal has brought him less than welcome limelight, you can’t blame him for trying something guaranteed to hit all our social media feeds in a more flattering manner."
Keir Starmer profile: The toolmakers' son vowing to 'rebuild Britain'
Rishi Sunak profile: The PM battling to stay in power of election gamble
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What is purdah? The strict rule that governs what politicians can and can't say
