When he learned Sir Keir Starmer was coming to the Carriage Works, owned by Swindon Borough Council, the Conservative leader of the authority David Renard took it as the Labour MP’s endorsement of both his administration and the current government’s investment.

He said: ““The Conservative Council is delighted that Sir Keir has recognised the huge benefits that are being delivered to our businesses by the regeneration of the Carriage Works which is a result of the council’s foresight and the millions of pounds of government investment.

“By both preserving Swindon’s heritage and providing a base for small, start up and hi-tech businesses, the council, working with The Foundry, is able provide the support that these new businesses need as they grow. It is a brilliant example of what can be achieved, and we thank Sir Keir for acknowledging this and promoting our great work.”

On the day after a much-anticipated budget by the Conservative government Sir Keir, with the shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, met women entrepreneurs at an event at The Carriage Works, the renovated GWR building that hosts small and innovative businesses.

The senior MPs spent about 45 minutes chatting with the businesswomen before doing TV interviews for both the BBC and ITV and speaking to other media briefly.