Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Nigel made customer wait for a gypsy tart
Ukip likes to do things differently and you can certainly say that about its campaign to leave the EU. The party’s battle bus rolled into Kent this week and it was about as far removed from the sleek state-of-the-art vehicles that other parties have a fondness for as you can imagine.
The open top double decker, resplendent in purple and featuring a huge picture of Nigel Farage on one side, was an ancient model that had, apparently, been used by the ice skaters Torvill and Dean for a victory parade after their Olympic success.
Comfort wasn’t high – wooden slatted benches – and its top speed was probably about 40mph going downhill with a fair wind.
The novelty factor for accompanying journalists, berthed on the upper deck, was rather shortlived as the bus trundled up the A2 from Ramsgate to Sittingbourne and exposed them to the effects of a stiff breeze.
True to form, the Ukip bandwagon periodically made pit stops at appropriate venues – pubs, including a micro brewery in Margate.
“I’ll have to come back to this one,” enthused a clearly impressed Nigel Farage.
Mind you, there wasn’t universal enthusiasm for the Farage visit that ended in Sittingbourne High Street. Nigel popped into a bakers’ shop to serve customers for the benefit of the media.
“I’ve had to wait five minutes for a gypsy tart,” muttered one disgruntled customer.
Meanwhile, the “stay” Conservative campaign group headed to Chatham for a visit by the health secretary Jeremy Hunt. It was what you might describe as fleeting.
But it must be said but he was generous with his time with Off The Record, even re-recording an interview rudely interrupted by a passer-by who enunciated an expletive at the top of his voice as he walked past during filming.
Up until the last few days, Kent had not featured that highly on the referendum campaign trail but as the date of destiny looms, the rival camps have been stirred into action, sending in the big guns and big hitters to win over the undecided.
Labour sent down its former leader Gordon Brown, accompanied by former chancellor Alistair Darling to Ashford for what they like to call a “keynote” speech about the merits of staying in.
The Brexit camp meanwhile was poised to send down its power duo, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, for an event involving – so our sources say – an unusual mode of transport. We can hardly wait.
Keep up to date with how Kent votes in the referendum by following Kentonline next Thursday when we will be reporting through the night as the results come in.