VIDEO: Boris Johnson visits Newport

The Tory stalwart arrived at Ridgeway – the highest point in the city – at 12.30pm to a rapturous reception from supporters.

As well as speaking out against Labour’s record on running the Welsh economy, Mr Johnson also threw his support behind Cllr Mathew Evans’ campaign to take the Newport West Assembly seat in next month’s election.

Addressing Cllr Evans the London Mayor said: “You are a man of fantastic credentials and you should storm it here.”

“There are parts of the country – like Wales, like London – where Labour think they have a divine right to rule,” he said.

“We need to show they are totally wrong and great candidates like Matthew I hope are going to show that on May 5.”

Calling May’s election’s “absolutely vital”, Mr Johnson said: “I really think that when you look at what has been happening in this part of our country for the last 17 years of Labour administration, it isn’t good enough,” he said.

“People in Wales deserve better.”

While in Ridgeway Mr Johnson also unveiled a campaigning ‘ad van’ featuring the latest Conservative campaign around the NHS.

But the Tory Mayor – who unsuccessfully ran as MP for Clwyd South in north Wales in 1997 – refused to be dragged into questions around the European Union or the leaked Panama papers.

Mr Johnson has said he is in favour of leaving the EU, rebelling against leader David Cameron, who is campaigning for the country to remain within the union. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has also said he will vote to leave the EU.

Labour MP for Newport West Paul Flynn also made an appearance to heckle the London Mayor and call into question claims he had made around the EU.

“It’s a nonsense to suggest Europe is to blame for problems in the steel industry when there’s no such problems in the French or German steel industries,” he said.

Mr Johnson stopped for coffee in the Ridgeway Café before setting off to campaign elsewhere in south Wales.

Cllr Evans said he was pleased to welcome Mr Johnson to Newport.

“He was very encouraging, enthusiastic and positive about the campaign and what we are talking about – which is the Welsh Assembly elections, not about Panama,” he said.

He added Mr Johnson coming to visit Newport showed the Conservative Party was “taking our campaign in Newport seriously.”

On his chances of winning the seat currently held for Labour by Dame Rosemary Butler Cllr Evans said: “The last couple of weeks have been a bit bumpy but there’s always going to be an outside chance.

“I’m always going to believe I’ve got an outside chance because I’m fighting on local issues.

“I’m going to be fighting on my record as leader of the council, I’m going to be fighting on my record as Mayor “From the people I’ve been speaking to I think I’ve got a significant personal vote.

“I think that’s important.”