Lend me your vote, says May to Labour’s faithful
Boris says UK won’t pay EU bill
traditional Labour voters that their support could help put the hard-Left Mr Corbyn into 10 Downing Street.
She told Leeds voters: “I know this city is one of the places that people call a traditional Labour area.
“But here – and in every constituency across the country – it may say Labour on the ballot, but it’s Jeremy Corbyn that gets the vote.
“The choice is between five years of strong and stable leadership with me as Prime Minister, or a coalition of chaos with Jeremy Corbyn at the helm, a weak leader negotiating Brexit and higher taxes, debt and waste.
“That is why in this election – the most important election this country has faced in my lifetime – every single vote counts.”
The PM also seized on remarks from German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday as evidence that the next government will face tough talks to win a deal with Brussels. Chancellor Merkel told her parliament some Britons were living under the “illusion” that the country can keep the benefits of EU membership outside the bloc. Mrs May said: “We can see how tough those negotiations are going to be at times.”
Her speech follows a series of opinion polls giving her a massive lead over Labour.
Research by Ipsos Mori yesterday showed the Prime Minister is well ahead of the Labour leader on virtually every major policy issue in the election debate, including crime and antisocial behaviour, managing the economy, defence and Britain’s relationship with the EU. SIR Richard Branson has sparked fury after he pledged thousands of pounds to millionaire Gina Miller’s fund to unseat MPs who support Brexit. More than £300,000 is due to be spent on the campaign by wealthy members of the elite who cannot forgive the British people for ending Brussels rule. Sir Richard has offered office space for the campaign and given it £25,000. The move by the tycoon has led to a campaign, launched by Leave.EU, to boycott his Virgin empire. Leave.EU tweeted: “Hit him where it hurts!” Announcing his ‘Unpatriotic, undemocratic’... Sir Richard and Ms Miller support for the campaign, Sir Richard made it clear that he does not accept the will of the British people. He said: “The referendum was just an advisory referendum. Once people see the terms and the consequences of what’s happening, things could change.”
Ms Miller, who successfully took the Government to court over Brexit, has promised “the biggest tactical voting effort in our history” with her Best for Britain campaign.
The plan, similar to efforts by pro-EU group Open Britain, is to pour £300,000 into marginal seats to keep Brexit candidates out.
She said: “Only tactical voting can ensure that Parliament plays its full role in the future of our country.
“We need MPs to be strong and open-minded about what is best for Britain.”
Leave.EU co-founder Richard Tice said: “Gina Miller has now hired Richard Branson as chief cheerleader. They don’t believe in democracy unless it goes their way. They believe that their immense wealth can overthrow a fair and free referendum result. They are unpatriotic and undemocratic.” DEFIANT Boris Johnson yesterday insisted Britain would not stump up any “divorce bill” cash to Brussels as a condition for starting Brexit talks.
The Foreign Secretary also defended claims made during last year’s Brexit campaign about the billions it costs Britain to be in the European Union.
He spoke amid continuing EU threats over the looming Brexit talks and the scale and timing of any British exit payment.
Mr Johnson adopted a defiant tone in a series of interviews. He said: “If you’re saying that they want the money before they get any substantive talks, then that is obviously not going to happen.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday “divorce” bill talks must start before negotiations on trade links. Theresa May wants them to run parallel with negotiations over Britain’s future relationship with the EU.