“It’s great to see so many Labour people here without knifing each other!” joked veteran Green councillor Andrew Cooper, referring to the ruthless coup which saw Kirklees Council leader David Sheard lose his job.

He had turned up to see the Labour In For Britain bus containing Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson make its way from Barnsley to St George’s Square, Huddersfield, this afternoon.

Labour Party Deputy Leader Tom Watson brings Vote Remain battle bus to St. George's Square, Huddersfield.

And where better to be pictured than in front of the Harold Wilson statue – the Labour Prime Minister who won the last European referendum in 1975.

The theme was familiar with Mr Watson quick to berate chief Brexit member Boris Johnson with claims of xenophobia and inward looking behaviour.

But it was Wakefield MP Mary Creagh’s claim that she “was proud to be a slut” which visibly stunned some of the 50-strong audience.

Labour Party Deputy Leader Tom Watson brings Vote Remain battle bus to St. George's Square, Huddersfield - Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman and supporters.

Thankfully, it turned out that she was referring to former UKIP member Godfrey Bloom’s joke in 2013 that a “women in politics” conference fringe meeting was “full of sluts” who did not clean behind their fridges.

Mr Watson, who has several family members who live in the Huddersfield/Holme Valley area, returned to more familiar ground by saying: “This has been the most exciting visit. I have been anxious about it all week.”

Labour Party Deputy Leader Tom Watson brings Vote Remain battle bus to St. George's Square, Huddersfield.

He went on to praise Mr Wilson for his well-known achievements and added: “He gave the country a referendum on the Common Market and he had the decency to give the party a free vote.”

And with that he retired to have a well-earned cup of coffee in the town centre.

Video Loading