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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Shanti Das

‘A bit of a clown at times’ – but Hartlepool’s voters will miss Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson Liz Truss Hartlepool Voter Brexit NHS
Boris Johnson visiting Hartlepool,
Boris Johnson visiting Hartlepool last year; Truss appears to lack the recognition factor there. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

As a 30ft inflatable Boris Johnson bobbed above Hartlepool marina, the real prime minister addressed TV crews. It was May 2021, and for the first time in 54 years, the former Labour stronghold in north-east England had elected a Conservative MP. “I want to say a massive thank you to the people of Hartlepool for placing their confidence in us,” Johnson said.

Fourteen months later, he would find himself in Hartlepool again – this time for a farewell visit. It was “lovely” to have him back, the town’s MP, Jill Mortimer, said in a Facebook video. “We know how much he loves it here.”

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