Video and pictures: EU need to jump ship now, says group in Shropshire

But this sinking Vote Leave vessel was officially launched on the side of the A458 Cressage straight by Shropshire politicians at a campaign ceremony.

The boat on the road between Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock, was created by businessman David Sykes-Waller.

At a ceremony, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham Daniel Kawczynski joined West Midlands MEP Jill Seymour for the launch as part of their campaign encouraging voters to choose to leave the EU during the referendum this month.

Speaking to supporters, Mr Kawczynski said had former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher been alive today, he believes she would have voted Brexit.

He said: "Voting for Brexit means you have confidence in the United Kingdom, that the United Kingdom can move ahead internationally.

"I know there are many men and women across Shropshire who have confidence in our country to go forward without being shackled to the EU.

"Let me say to you how proud I was when you elected me, a complete stranger, Mr Kawczynski from Poland, born in Poland, to represent Shrewsbury and Atcham.

"But as a Polish-born British MP I want you to know that the free movement of people is completely wrong.

"Of course we benefit from migrants in our country, of course we want people to continue to live and work in the UK.

"But that immigration needs to be managed and needs to be controlled so that it operates and works in the interests of the UK first and foremost."

Mr Kawczynski also spoke about the controversial figure across the side of the Leave Campaign battle bus, claiming it sends £350 million to the EU each week. He says even if this brought down to £160 million, it is not the right thing to do.

He said: "If you knew how hard we have to fight, tooth and nail, for limited resources for Shropshire, on a daily and weekly basis the fact we send £160 million of your money every week to Brussels, it's not fair and it's not sustainable."

Mrs Seymour, who will be out of a job if the country votes leave, compared herself to "a turkey for Christmas".

She said: "I think this is a subject for everybody in the UK.

"We must get everybody out there to vote, it is the last chance to save our country. I want you to get rid of me from the EU. Whatever the intentions in the beginning it is not what we've got now."

Speaking at the event, Mr Sykes-Waller said: "I'm too young to have voted in the last referendum but I certainly wouldn't have voted for the faceless corrupt EU we have today.

"I'm an economist and have operated in the commercial world for over 35 years. I'm totally independent of either side and so able to cast a truly-unbiased opinion. The first irreconcilable challenge is that the EU is morally bankrupt.

"It 'steals' talent often young professionals including doctors, nurses and engineers, from the most vulnerable nations to fuel labour requirements for the elite EU nations who have an insatiable appetite for economic growth."

The launch saw supporters of the Vote Leave campaign join the speakers at the boat near Cound Hall, which is emblazoned with the message "Vote Leave – 78 million boarding soon".

They christened the boat with some "EaU" water, brought over from Brussels, to symbolise the British taxpayers' money it is claimed the European Union is spending.

The UK referendum will take place on June 23 when a large turnout is expected to have their say.