UK's PM Johnson blows his budget on sausages

LONDON - Britain holds an election on Dec 12, a political gamble by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who sees it as his best chance to break the deadlock in parliament over Brexit.

The parties are on the campaign trail, travelling the length and breadth of the United Kingdom to drum up support.

Following are some colourful snapshots from the election trail:

GOVERNMENT BORROWING UP

Johnson's efforts to stimulate the local economy in the English city of Salisbury ran out of cash of Tuesday.

Touring local businesses during a campaign visit to a Christmas market, Johnson visited a local butcher and helped out behind the till at one stall, serving up sweets in front of a phalanx of cameras.

But the prime minister, whose Conservatives have cast themselves as the party of fiscal discipline during the election campaign, came unstuck when he tried to pay for a box of chocolate brownies.

Fumbling through his wallet, Johnson had to ask his team for a loan.

"I'm out of cash" he said, before someone eventually handed him a 10 pound ($12.83) note. "I lashed out on some sausages earlier on and it cleaned me out!"

CORBYN'S NOTEBOOK

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, carries a notebook with him all over the country.

It's a handwritten diary of knowledge he has picked up on the election trail.

"The wisdom that is there amongst people all over the country is something that absolutely inspires me, I go around with a notebook everywhere," he said during a television interview, waving the book.

"I write notes about everything I do and everywhere I go, because you know what, everyone you meet knows something you don't know."

His interviewer on chat show 'This Morning' asked: "What are you going to write about us?"

He replied: "What a charming morning I am having, what wonderful Christmas decorations you've got."

Reuters