Anti-Brexit campaigner Femi Oluwole was among the large number of people who gathered in the centre of Brecon yesterday in an attempt to catch a glimpse of new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The online political activist, known by his first name Femi became a campaigner against Brexit in 2016 following the EU referendum, had been hoping to quiz Mr Johnson on his plans to leave the European Union.
The 29-year-old staunch remainer waited with the crowd, donned with a phone on a selfie stick ready to film, however they were all left disappointed when Mr Johnson did not arrive near The Guildhall.
Femi said he had hoped to speak to the new PM when he attended the Brecon Enterprise Park.
He said: "I did see him earlier at the industrial estate.
“I wanted to ask him why he is even allowing this version of Brexit when he said it wouldn’t happen. He said we would get a deal, and now he is willing to allow a no deal. It undermines democracy in UK politics.
“In 2017, 54% of people voted for parties whose manifestos ruled out a no-deal Brexit – why is he going against the will of the people?”
Femi, who has since gained around 199,000 followers on Twitter and around 1,786 subscribers on YouTube, had already attempted to meet the Mr Johnson during his official visit at mail-order firm BVG on the edge of town Enterprise Park Industrial Estate.
However, only members of local press – The Brecon & Radnor Express and The Powys County Times along with Wales Online – were allowed into the press huddle in the building, which is private property, meaning the man behind Our Future Our Choice, a young person led anti-Brexit campaign, had to stay outside the large fence around the facility with members of the national press.
Femi, who is from Birmingham but lives in London, filmed a panning shot of Mr Johnson’s entourage as it entered the facility before attempting to gain a shot through the fence.
Earlier that day, Femi had filmed Brecon and Radnorshire’s Conservative candidate Chris Davies outside his office in Lion Yard, Brecon.
The video, titled “count the number of times by-election MP Chris Davies dodges Femi’s questions about No Deal not being the will of the people”, featured him quizzing Mr Davies with similar questions which he had intended to ask Mr Johnson.
Also gathered outside of The Guildhall was Brexit Party candidate Des Parkinson, fans of the new Prime Minister who had travelled from Cardiff and residents from across Powys – some wearing Brexit Party t-shirts and badges.
One resident from Llangynidr, who asked not to be named, said: “I was waiting to see him. I wanted to ask him what he is going to do for Welsh farmers when Brexit annihilates the farming community.
“It would be fair to say I wanted clarity for farmers.”
James Taylor, who had travelled to Brecon with a friend from Cardiff to see Mr Johnson, said he had wanted to show his support for the new Prime Minister.
He said: “I was here just passing by and I thought it would be nice to see the Prime Minister.
“I was hoping to show my support for his stand for democracy in this country, unlike the last three prime ministers who have fudged it. Tony Blair promised a referendum and it didn’t happen. It took for Nigel Farage to come along to force their hands.
“Out means out, leave means leave. It’s like cricket – what next, people stood on the crease? What do people not understand?
“We can see what’s happening. People think it’s all about the liberals or the Conservatives at the front, but it’s about Nigel Farage behind the scenes.
“Thank goodness for Nigel, he should be made a sir after this and what he’s done for this country.”
When he was initially asked by a Brecon & Radnor Express reporter whether he was “disappointed that he hadn’t seen Boris”, he said: “I don’t understand where this new thing has come from of calling him Boris, he’s the Prime Minister, people should show some respect. You wouldn’t call the other Prime Ministers just by their names.”
While the crowd were waiting, Femi attempted to film a video with Des Parkinson however he was abruptly told that he would not be speaking to him.
Crowd members watched as Femi persisted and other members of the Brexit party tried to block the political activist’s attempt.
Mr Parkinson, who is also a by-election candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire, said he thought it was disappointing that Mr Johnson did not visit the town centre.
He said: “A lot of people turned out to see him, they were all lined up here. I understand he went somewhere in the outskirts which is why he didn’t turn up here.
“I think it’s rather disappointing that he didn’t show up to meet the people. It also shows that he does not have the courage to support his own candidate in front of local people.”
It's understood that during his visit at BVG that Mr Johnson had asked about the possibility of walking around the town centre but was rejected on security grounds.