#PleaseLeaveMyTown: Boris Johnson's Yorkshire visit has gone viral
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- Hollie Richardson
- Published
Following his visit to Leeds and Wakefield this week, the internet is asking Boris Johnson to #PleaseLeaveMyTown. Here’s why…
What a week, eh? In case you’ve been living in ignorant bliss (and quite understandably so): a new bill being pushed by MPs this week will stop a no-deal Brexit happening on 31 October. 21 Tory Party rebels have been sacked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson for joining the opposition in backing this bill to delay the UK’s departure from the EU. Now, Johnson is calling for a snap election, which MPs will vote on next Monday (9 September). He’s also said that he’d “rather be dead in a ditch than delay Brexit”.
We’ve also seen Green Party MP Caroline Lucas call out Jacob-Rees Mogg for “slouching” in the House of Commons while the debates went on into the night. And Jess Phillips delivered a passionate speech about the unacceptable state of politics in the UK right now. Phillips also pointed out that the domestic abuse bill is being ignored as a result of this Brexit mess. Conservative MP Justine Greening also made headlines by telling the PM that she will be standing down at the next general election after spending 16 years in the party. And now, the PM’s own brother, Jo Johnson, has caused more shock by handing in his resignation.
It’s enough to cause an 8 am migraine. But the internet has given us the Brexit respite that we so desperately need.
Johnson was in West Yorkshire on Thursday (5 September) to do walkabouts and deliver a speech about his pledge for more police funding. Two clips from the day have since gone viral, prompting Twitter to coin the hashtag #PleaseLeaveMyTown.
Let’s take a look at them:
The first clip shows Johnson on a walkabout in Morley, Leeds. While politely shaking Johnson’s hand, one local man told the PM: “Please leave my town.” Johnson replied: “I will, very soon”.
The second clip also took place in Morley, while Johnson was trying to do an interview with BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg.
Another local man comes up to Johnson, insisting that he is “playing games” in parliament. He then says: “You should be negotiating in Brussels”. The PM replies: We are negotiating”. This leads the man to assert: “You’re not! You’re in Morley, in Leeds!”.
Cue: many, many retweets and funny takes on the incidents by people on the internet…
The visit could be described as a bit of a disaster, but the PM obviously has a lot more to think about as we head towards Monday’s vote.
Images: Getty