'Can I have a photo Boris?' - Prime Minister surprises Hartlepool street with walkabout

The Prime Minister joined Hartlepool Conservative by-election candidate Jill Mortimer and Tees Valley mayoral candidate Ben Houchen on the election campaign trail in Mildenhall Close, on the Fens estate, on Thursday afternoon.

It followed a visit to medical diagnostics business Hart Biologicals on the town’s Queens Meadow Business Park.

Neighbours told of their surprise at seeing the PM on their doorstep.

David Simpson, 25, said: “All the big four by four vehicles started turning up and men with wires in their ears.

"I saw him down the bottom of the street talking to some workmen. More and more people started turning up.”

John Quinn, 63, was working on his car when Mr Johnson stopped for a chat.

Mr Quinn said: “He just came walking up the street with his entourage. I couldn’t believe it.

"He gave me a leaflet and said ‘can we count on your vote?’ He asked how everything was going and if I’d had the jab and I said ‘yes’.”

Mr Johnson spent some time talking to workman Kevin Richardson, of Thrift Energy, who was carrying out insulation work at a house.

Mr Richardson said: “He came along and I shouted ‘Boris can I have a photo?’ and he climbed over a privet fence.

"He chatted to us because this is all government grant work. He went on Facetime to talk to my wife.

"He was great.”

The Hartlepool by-election and Tees Valley mayoral election take place on Thursday, May 6, along with borough council and Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner polls.

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