Exclusive
'FRESH APPROACH'
Pro-Brexit JCB boss Lord Bamford and Remainer execs hail Boris Johnson as the man to ‘inspire’ Britain
BREXIT-backing JCB boss Lord Bamford and Remain-voting execs last night hailed Boris Johnson as the man to “inspire” Britain – and protect it from Jeremy Corbyn.
On the eve of the Tory frontrunner’s formal campaign launch, business chiefs united to back his bid for No.10.
4
4
And they said the former Foreign Secretary was the only man to deliver on the result of the 2016 Referendum – and defeat Labour.
Lord Bamford – who has donated tens of thousands to the ‘Boris’ campaign as head of the iconic JCB digger maker - said: “Remarkable times call for remarkable people.”
He added: “Boris has what it takes to be a remarkable Prime Minister at a pivotal moment in our history.
“He’ll get Brexit over the line. He’ll keep old-fashioned socialism out of No. 10 – and hold back that particular threat to our prosperity.”
Critically, the Tory frontrunner was also backed by Berkeley Homes chair Tony Pidgley – who voted Remain in 2016 – and ex-Barclays chairman Sir Gerry Grimstone.
Sir Gerry said that despite wishing Britain had stayed in the EU, he now believed the nation had to “get on” and deliver on the 2016 vote.
And he said: “We need energy, enthusiasm and a fresh approach.”
He’ll get Brexit over the line. He’ll keep old-fashioned socialism out of No. 10 – and hold back that particular threat to our prosperity.
Lord Bamford
Mr Pidgley two years ago urged politicians to take decisions to end the Brexit uncertainty – saying he feared a ‘No Deal’.
But last night he said: “I know how much Boris did for housing and business in London. He’s the right man to give Britain and business its confidence back.”
The support comes just days after Mr Johnson announced a monster £10 billion tax giveaway for big earners.
He promised to raise the threshold for the 40p tax rate from £50,000 a year to £80,000. The move was immediately panned by leadership rivals.
Michael Gove said the one thing he would never do as Prime Minister was to “give the already wealthy another tax cut”.
Lord Anthony Bamford on backing Boris
I’M backing Boris because Boris knows that when British business does well, so does Britain.
And he knows that it’s the job of government to create the conditions that allow British businesses to succeed: to create the jobs and generate the corporation tax which, together with the income tax paid by hardworking people, is largely what funds our schools, the NHS and other vital services.
I like Boris. Really, what’s not to like? He’s a people person, an excellent quality in a politician.
And crucially, he has a vision of where Britain needs to be and the leadership skills to get us there.
What the country needs right now is inspirational leadership from someone with a positive vision for a post-Brexit Britain: someone who can run Cabinet effectively; who knows how to get the most out of talented Ministers; and who will always put Britain first.
In other words, it needs Boris.
Boris has already proven his leadership credentials as Mayor of London, a role he fulfilled - for eight years - with both style and considerable skill.
He was a wonderful ambassador, particularly in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics when he promoted London as a destination not just for overseas visitors but also for overseas investment.
Above all, he always put London, London business and the people of London first; and as Prime Minister, he would do the same for Britain.
Delivering Brexit is, of course, our most urgent priority. Let’s get Brexit done and move on to the next stage: building Britain’s future as a sovereign outward-looking global trading nation.
Remarkable times call for remarkable people. Boris has what it takes to be a remarkable Prime Minister at a pivotal moment in our history.
He’ll get Brexit over the line.
He’ll keep old-fashioned socialism out of No. 10 – and hold back that particular threat to our prosperity.
And with all of our help, he’ll build a new, more confident Britain.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
Mr Johnson delivered a pro-Brexit rally cry at JCB’s Staffordshire headquarters in January – where he said there was nothing to fear from a No Deal Brexit.
At the time he urged Theresa May to renegotiate her EU withdrawal deal – which had been voted down in the biggest defeat in parliamentary history just days before.
It later emerged he pocketed a £10,000 donation from the digger maker three days before he gave his speech.
4
4
10 Conservative wannabes confirmed in the running to be PM
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
Topics