Boris Johnson makes surprise speech at Tory rally in last-minute bid to sway voters
With 36 hours left before voting begins, Boris Johnson made his first appearance on the Tory campaign trail, ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports
Words by ITV News Producer Hannah Ward-Glenton
Boris Johnson made a surprise appearance on the General Election campaign trail on Tuesday night, telling a Tory rally: "Don't let the Putinistas deliver the Corbynistas".
“When Rishi asked me to come and help of course I couldn’t say no,” the former prime minister said. “We’re all here because we love our country.”
Johnson spoke at a Conservative campaign event at London's National Army Museum before Rishi Sunak arrived to deliver his speech, and was greeted by cheers, claps, whistles and chants of “Boris, Boris, Boris”.
It was his first appearance at a Tory campaign event in the run-up to the General Election, having previously limited his involvement to endorsing individual candidates, writing supportive newspaper columns and reportedly putting his name on hundreds of thousands of letters sent out to voters.
He repeated warnings of a Labour "supermajority" and said a vote for Reform UK would contribute to that majority.
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Johnson also repeated the Tory jibe that the Labour leader would clock off work at 6pm if he were to become prime minister.
Starmer said it is "laughably pathetic and desperate" that the Tories have attacked him over his preference to avoid working after 6pm on Fridays to spend time with his family.
The Labour leader previously said in interviews that he has always reserved Friday evenings to spend with his family, unless “it’s absolutely urgent or a special reason”.
Sunak followed his predecessor on stage, saying: “Isn’t it great to have our Conservative family united, my friends?”
He added: “Just think, just think, it was just the other day when Keir Starmer was saying that Jeremy Corbyn would have been a better prime minister than Boris.
“Shameful. Can you imagine what that would have meant for Ukraine? What it would have meant for our country’s security, our defence, the damage it would have done to our economy?”
Johnson also repeated claims by the Tories that Labour would increase taxes.
"If you actually want higher taxes next week, this year, if you feel you’ve got a few thousands to spare, then vote Labour on Thursday. If you want uncontrolled immigration and mandatory wokery, and pointless kowtowing to Brussels again, then go right ahead, make my day, vote for Starmer," the former prime minister added.
Johnson announced he would be resigning as prime minister in July 2022 following a mass rebellion by ministers over his leadership, prompted by scandals including Partygate.
Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper described Johnson's appearance as "an insult" to people who made "heartbreaking sacrifices" during the pandemic.
“Rishi Sunak has reached a desperate new low, turning to a man who discredited the office of Prime Minister and lied to the country time after time," she said.
“It is time to boot out this tired and sleaze-ridden Conservative Party, and elect Liberal Democrat MPs who will stand up for their communities.”
The speeches come as the Conservative party makes a final push to sway voters ahead of Thursday's General Election, with polls widely predicting a big Labour majority.
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