Corbyn’s Buchanan Street blast
Political Correspondent JEREMY CORBYN addressed a cheering crowd in a Glasgow city centre street today and said the Tories had underestimated him and the Labour Party.
On the final day of campaigning before the polls open the Labour leader spoke to a crowd of almost 200 people at 8am in Buchanan Street.
In a short speech he attacked the Tory Government on poverty, inequality and pensions.
He was asked about Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that Kezia Dugdale told her in a private conversation that Labour could drop opposition to a referendum to keep Scotland in the EU single market.
Mr Corbyn responded: “I do not see the urgency or the need for an i ndependence referendum.”
He then turned to the campaign and inequality and social justice.
With the gap in the opinion polls narrowing Mr Corbyn told the cheering crowd: “They underestimated us. The Tories underestimated the good people all over Britain.”
He said: “How many more children in Britain have to grow up in poverty and go to school hungry?
“How many more older people have to be afraid for the security of their pensions?
“How many more workers will not receive a living wage?”
Before heading off to campaign events in England and Wales Mr Corbyn said there would be no deals with other par- ties. He said his campaign was not funded by wealthy donors like some others.
He added: “I don’t want the support of the super-rich. I want a party that’s of the people.
“The financial crisis shouldn’t be paid for on the backs of most vulnerable and poorest.”
Addressing the Tory claim that a government led by Jeremy Corbyn would be “propped up” by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP he said “we’re not doing deals”.
He said: “If you want a Labour government, if you want to get rid of a Tory government, our party is not doing deals, we’re not offering anything other than us, our manifesto and our principles.”
Mr Corbyn added: “Wouldn’t it be great if you could wake up on Friday morning to a Labour majority across the country? A government for all of our communities to deliver the social justice we crave.”
The alternative he said was “a Tory government continuing with cuts and lame excuses”.
He said his campaign was diverse and unified.
He added: “We are black, white, gay and straight men and women, living comfortable and uncomfortable lives. But we are together.”
Mr Corbyn also said Diane Abbott will be replaced by Lyn Brown as shadow home secretary for the period of her ill health.
Mr Corbyn said Ms Abbott had received “unfair levels of attack and abuse for many years” and said: “I’ll be talking to her later on today, she’s not well at the moment.”