The Liberal Democrats have unveiled a massive inflated balloon of Donald Trump, alongside cardboard cut-outs of Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, in a stunt warning of the impact of 'Trumpflation' on the British public.
Stunt targets Farage and Badenoch
The helium-filled orange balloon, depicting the US president, was photographed next to likenesses of the Reform UK and Conservative leaders. The party accused both politicians of cheering on Donald Trump as his war in Iran sends household bills skyrocketing.
Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: 'People across our country have been struggling for years with a devastating cost-of-living crisis and Donald Trump’s idiotic war in Iran has added to it. The cost of fuel is soaring, mortgage rates are rising and fixed energy deals are already going up by hundreds of pounds. But what is utterly inexcusable is that there are politicians in this country - Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch - who are happy to cheerlead Donald Trump as he hikes people’s bills.'
Inflation and fuel price rises
The stunt comes as ONS figures revealed inflation rose to 3.3% in March, driven by the biggest increase in fuel prices since January 2023. The Liberal Democrats warn that Trump’s Iran war has caused the largest rise in fuel costs in more than three years, hitting British families hard.
Polling commissioned by the party found that among regular drivers, nearly a third (30%) have cut back on other spending to afford fuel, while 1 in 10 are stockpiling fuel. Almost half (49%) have driven less due to soaring prices, and over a quarter (28%) have delayed or cancelled non-essential journeys, such as visiting friends or family.
Union warns workers must not pay the price
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned that workers must not suffer due to the conflict. She said: 'Today’s uptick in inflation looks like it is just the beginning. Before the war in Iran, workers were already forecast to get poorer. The outlook is now looking increasingly bleak. Workers must not pay the price yet again, for a crisis not of their making. As a minimum the government must take decisive action on soaring energy bills.'
