From Flubs to Flakes: Reliving the Most Unforgettable Moments in British Election Campaign History

Notable incidents from past general election campaigns

The 2024 election campaign has seen its fair share of blunders that are bound to be remembered in the annals of British politics. However, there have been numerous other embarrassing episodes over the years that rival even the most cringeworthy.

Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 12

Following Rishi Sunak's announcement of the election, Sky News' Politics Hub has been revisiting notable events from previous campaigns.

From David Cameron's soccer blunder to an unexpected Nick Clegg coming out on top in the UK's inaugural televised leaders' debate, there was no shortage of memorable moments.

Election Center: Click here for the most recent updates on the election

We've gathered them all here for you to take a trip down memory lane – and just a heads up, considering the lovely weather we've experienced recently, you might find yourself longing for some ice cream…

Cameron's accidental score against his

Using a football analogy really resonates with the everyday person.

However, during a clumsy moment in the 2015 campaign, David Cameron struggled to persuade us of his genuine fandom.

In his address, which aimed to honor the multicultural fabric of Britain, he described it as "a nation where individuals of every religion, ethnicity, belief, and heritage coexist" – and a place where "one can simultaneously cheer for Manchester United, the West Indies cricket team, and Great Britain's Olympic team."

"He joked, 'Naturally, I'd prefer you back West Ham.'"

Unfortunately, he supports Aston Villa.

"Absolutely, I'm sufficiently resilient"

Labour was favored to win the 2015 election, however, Ed Miliband's challenging performances on television ultimately did not aid the party's prospects.

He was rigorously questioned on Sky News by Jeremy Paxman, who asked if he had the necessary toughness to be prime minister.

Leaning in, Mr. Miliband recounted a story about the British government’s inclination to engage in Syria that year, following the lead of the United States under the administration of then-President Barack Obama.

Stay ahead with the latest breaking news updates.

Download the Sky News application at no cost

He described to Paxman being summoned to a meeting with David Cameron and his deputy, Nick Clegg, who had just finished a call with Mr. Obama, and he ultimately chose to vote against taking action.

"Challenging the leader of the free world demonstrates considerable resilience," Mr. Miliband remarked.

In his defense of his foreign policy record, he emphatically finished his statement by saying, "Am I tough enough? Hell yes, I'm tough enough."

Johnson takes refuge in a refrigerator

Indiana Jones famously took shelter in a refrigerator to escape a nuclear blast, but it's surprising to learn that they're just as useful for avoiding Piers Morgan.

In the midst of his December 2019 election campaign, Boris Johnson found refuge in a commercial refrigerator at a dairy company in Yorkshire when he was asked to appear on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

Informed by a show producer that he was currently on air, Mr. Johnson responded, "I'll be right there," before swiftly making his getaway.

"Morgan whispered over the phone from the ITV studio, clearly astonished, 'He's retreated into the refrigerator,' as the former prime minister took refuge among a cluster of milk bottles."

Mr. Johnson ultimately appeared and succeeded in securing a victory in the election.

Snowfall among companions

During New Labour's tenure, numerous reports surfaced highlighting a tense and often contentious dynamic between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

During the 2005 campaign trail, the duo displayed genuine camaraderie by delighting in delicious 99 Flakes ice creams together.

Discover more: Who is leading the race in the election? Learn how to view and track the election night results on Sky News.

The photo session served as a response to rumors of a disagreement, and nothing unites individuals quite like delicious ice cream.

Back in those days, they likely were priced at 99p.

"We're fine!"

The year is 1992, and Labour's Neil Kinnock is up against John Major.

With the election just a week away, the opposition is confident that it is poised to return to Downing Street, having been out of power for over ten years.

Legions of devoted supporters converged at Sheffield Arena for a massive rally.

In the midst of enthusiastic cheers and claps, Mr. Kinnock shouted what was believed to be the words, "we're alright!"

This was interpreted as him indicating that Labour was poised for victory, a gesture seen as overconfident and presumptuous.

Following the defeat to Mr. Major's Conservative Party, Mr. Kinnock stepped down as the leader of his party.

He later contended that his words were "well alright," aimed at calming the audience and capturing their attention.

"Everything remains the same"

Theresa May faced significant challenges throughout the 2017 election campaign.

A specific incident became notorious when she insisted to reporters that "nothing has changed," even though there was a drastic reversal concerning the contentious proposal to make seniors pay for their social care.

This could be considered the lowest point of a campaign that initially predicted she would decisively defeat Labour, but instead resulted in her losing her majority.

"I share Nick's opinion"

In the UK's inaugural TV debate for prime ministers in 2010, it was not leading candidates David Cameron or Gordon Brown who emerged as the standout, but rather Nick Clegg.

As the Conservative and Labour leaders engaged in sharp exchanges, they showed a more cooperative approach towards the rising Liberal Democrat.

That evening, he was flawless, compelling both Mr. Cameron and Mr. Brown to inevitably find themselves in agreement with Nick.

The phenomenon of Cleggmania propelled him right into Downing Street as a member of the coalition government.

The Stone of Ed

Putting aside his awkward attempt at eating a bacon sandwich, it was Ed Miliband's decision to reveal Labour's 2015 election promises etched onto a massive stone tablet that truly left voters puzzled about his actions that year.

The former party leader believed that the gimmick, dubbed the Ed Stone, would convince voters of his commitment to fulfilling his pledges.

They emphasized "a robust economic base" and "regulations on immigration" (ring any bells?).

Moreover, Labour has even pledged to install it in the garden of Downing Street if they come to power.

Upon its reveal in Hastings, the initiative was met with immediate mockery. Following a lackluster performance in the election, the then leader, who now serves as the shadow energy secretary, stepped down from the leadership position.

The Bigotgate

Nigel Farage has stated that the controversy surrounding Rishi Sunak's departure from the D-Day events represents a critical misstep for the prime minister, akin to Gillian Duffy's incident.

Appropriately, we revisited the original source.

The scandal known as "Bigotgate" emerged when former Prime Minister Gordon Brown referred to Gillian Duffy, a voter who expressed worries over immigration in Rochdale, as a "bigoted woman."

Mr. Brown whispered the remark following a conversation on camera, unaware that a microphone was still capturing his voice, and the comment was later aired.

The Prescott Jab

What would your response be if someone suddenly splattered an egg on your face?

When confronted with hecklers, John Prescott's response was to hit them.

The ex-deputy prime minister punched a voter who confronted him before a campaign event in Wales.

Stay informed on the most recent developments both in the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

The event occurred on the same day that the Labour Party unveiled its 2001 manifesto, becoming so notorious that it has been dedicated a separate Wikipedia page.

Mr. Prescott, who was serving as Tony Blair's deputy at the time, maintained that his forceful punch was in self-defense. However, his decision to resort to physical confrontation caused a rift among the party's top leaders, with Gordon Brown showing more understanding than the Prime Minister himself.

Associated Subjects

Footer for Sky News

Introduction to Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Channels under Sky

Additional Sites from Sky