Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Boris Johnson smashes union flag branded JCB 'Brexit' digger through piles of boxes in bizarre campaign event

Prime minister takes controls of JCB as election campaign reaches final straight

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Tuesday 10 December 2019 16:12 GMT
Comments
Boris Johnson drives 'Get Brexit Done' JCB at factory in Staffordshire

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Boris Johnson has driven a Brexit digger through a polystyrene wall at a bizarre campaign event as the election campaign enters its final days.

The prime minister got behind the wheel of a JCB digger with "Get Brexit Done" written on its bucket and smashed through a wall emblazoned with the word "Gridlock".

He posed for a photo before giving a thumbs up and shouting "Get Brexit done" to waiting photographers.

The stunt took place at the JCB Cab Manufacturing Centre in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, where the prime minister also took part in a question and answer session with staff.

JCB chairman Lord Bamford is a Conservative peer and a staunch Brexiteer, donating thousands of pounds to Mr Johnson's leadership bid.

Labour immediately produced its own mock-up of the stunt, showing Mr Johnson driving a digger through a wall with the word "NHS" written on it.

In a speech to workers at JCB, Mr Johnson said: "On Thursday I think it's time for the whole country symbolically to get into the cab of a JCB custard colossus and remove the current blockage we have in our Parliament."

Asked if he believed he was "home and dry" on Thursday, the prime minister said: "Absolutely not.

"This is a very close fought election and we need every vote. The only mathematical alternative to a working majority Conservative government is the real real risk of another hung parliament.

"That’s another five years of confusion, chaos, dither, delay and division. We cannot go down that route.

"I’m sorry to say this but remember what happened in 2017. Polls can be wrong and we are fighting for every vote.”

In chaotic scenes, a Tory campaign bus carrying journalists was stopped outside of the factory by Extinction Rebellion protestors, who glued themselves to the front of the bus.

Police closed part of the road to traffic as they waited to remove three activists dressed as bees from the vehicle.

After a delay of more than 100 minutes, the three men were removed and handcuffed by police.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in