Boris Johnson brought the general election campaign to life today with a whirlwind visit to Kent to support the South Thanet Conservative candidate Craig Mackinlay.

Surrounded by camera crews and reporters, the Mayor of London travelled to Ramsgate and dared to do what many other politicians have resisted so far in the campaign – namely, meeting and speaking to voters on the streets.

Even the presence of a number of Ukip activists, who ambushed him on his arrival and stuck clam-like to his entourage throughout with their own placards, failed to dampen his upbeat mood during a sometimes chaotic but often entertaining visit.

Clearly briefed on the local issues, he set about pressing leaflets into willing and sometimes unwilling hands and declaring regularly that the Conservatives would “regenerate Ramsgate” with the help of a five-point plan – including rescuing Manston Airport.

But he sidestepped questions about whether he had completely given up on his own plans for a Thames Estuary airport – the so-called Boris Island scheme, saying that he would see how things were if he returned to the Commons as an MP.

And he was put on the spot by Gary Easton, a former employee of Manston who accused the Conservatives of only taking an interest in the airport because of Ukip’s promises.

Speaking to KM Group political editor Paul Francis, Mr Johnson accepted that the contest for South Thanet was close.

“This is the most important election of modern times – we face the most left-wing leader since Michael Foot and there is only one way to stop that and give a referendum on the EU and that is to vote Conservative and I hope people here will do that.”

He accepted there were still a lot of undecided voters but urged them to think carefully, saying there was a risk of “going back to the Seventies” under Labour.

On Manston, he said: “The plan for Manston is to get it open, get it running and get it serving freight and passengers and use it for the foreseeable future.”

As to his own Boris Island scheme, which has been ruled out by the government’s own Davies Commission, he was less forthcoming.

He said: “Well, you know we will have to see... I have said more on this subject than any politician living or dead and what I want to hear is a little bit more from other people; I want to hear about their plans.”

He accepted that membership of the EU remained a concern for a lot of people, saying: “People are very fond of our friendships and partnerships but there is too much bureaucracy and the only way to get reform is to vote Conservative.”

During his visit to Ramsgate, even the purchase of ice cream took on a political dimension as Mr Johnson and Craig Mackinlay opted for a blue-tinged sample.

It was all over in an hour but Mr Johnson’s visit contrived to bring to life what has been a lacklustre campaign in which the parties are seen as playing safe and minimising the risks of gaffes in public.

What did residents make of Boris Johnson's visit? Reporter James Rose canvassed opinions...

Ramsgate Society chairman Jocelyn McCarthy said: "It's nice to see so much attention on Ramsgate. Having Boris here will probably help Craig's election chances and he's a candidate who seems to have the town at heart." Ukip county councillor Trevor Shonk said: "Having high profile visits puts Ramsgate on the map and days like these are positive for the area. I shook hands with Boris Johnson and Craig Mackinlay and it's all a bit of fun."Janice Porter, of Cannon Road, Ramsgate, said: "I love him, my cat is named Boris Johnson. He's an honest man, sticks by what he says and a visit like this makes a positive impact on the area."Labour supporter Mark Hearne said: "Seeing the media circus makes me decide to show my colours. Boris Johnson doesn't need to be here this is nothing more than a cynical ploy to boost Craig Mackinlay's profile."June Whitehall was visiting from Blewbery in Oxfordshire but was stopped by Boris Johnson for a few words. She said: "He used to be my MP and I think his presence here today out in the sun will probably will sway a few people and motivate them to vote."John Holmes, of Cliffsend, said: "I'm sure the publicity will help Ramsgate all round and the Conservative effort. I backed Boris Island! And we can't go back to the days of Labour."