Giant balloon flown over Nottingham ahead of BBC general election debate

Oliver Pridmore

26 June 2024 at 4:26 pm·1-min read

Giant balloon flown over Nottingham ahead of BBC's election debate — -Credit: (Image: Robin Macey)

A giant political hot air balloon was flown over Nottingham Trent University ahead of the BBC's general election debate in the city. The balloon read "cost of living soaring" on one side and "NHS waiting lists sky-high" on the other.

The blimp was pictured at around 7.45pm on Wednesday (June 26) around half an hour before the debate began. The Civil Aviation Authority website suggests the balloon is owned by the Hot Air Balloon Company in Ashford.

Behind the hiring of the balloon is the campaigning organisation 38 degrees. The company was previously involved in driving vans around the City ground in a protest against Rushcliffe Conservative MP Ruth Edwards.

It came as dozens of protestors gathered outside Nottingham Trent University's Newton Building, almost drowning out the first 10 minutes of the BBC debate. The protest also forced changes to NET tram services.

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