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The pigs of
Pennywell Farm in Devon successfully predicted the outcome of
Britain's national election last year and are again fighting it
out on the track in some political racing that rival the
"Remain" and "Leave" sides' own campaign battles.
Prime Minister David Cameron is leading the "In" campaign and
former London mayor Boris Johnson, also from the ruling
Conservative Party, is urging Britons to vote "Out" in the June
23 referendum.
As the latest polls show growing momentum for the "Leave" camp,
the farm in southwest England is putting four pigs to the test
each afternoon on a 150 yard (137m) long course, with both sides
represented.
Racing for the "Remain" camp are 'David Hameron' and 'George
Hogsborne', a play on the name of finance minister George
Osborne. For the "Leave" camp the racers are 'Boar-is Johnson'
and 'Iain Duncan Sniff', a reference to leading Eurosceptic and
Conservative ex-cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith.
Monday kicked off the farm's first "referendum race" despite
dense fog hanging over the track.
"I think this is most appropriate weather for this occasion,"
Pennywell Farm owner Chris Murray said.
"It's a murky question, we are all in the fog about it and I
think that these little Pennywell miniature pigs will actually
find a way through this fog of confusion and indecisiveness."
The track features jumps named "Bacon Brook" and "The Trough",
leading to the finish that consists of two Union Jack and
EU-themed gates.
Once the starting gate was opened, spectators cheered as David
Hameron, George Hogsborne and Iain Duncan Sniff rushed off,
easily clearing the hurdles, while Boar-is Johnson trailed
behind. The result in the end was decisive.
"We've had three votes for staying in the EU and just one for
leaving," the race compere announced.
Pennywell Farm will conduct the races daily up until the vote.
(Reporting By Reuters Television; Writing by Georgina Cooper and
Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Gareth Jones)
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