Corbyn invokes Churchill in ‘fight them on the beaches’ speech

JEREMY CORBYN has invoked the spirit of Winston Churchill in an attempt to persuade voters to back his party in the general election this June.

In his first speech of the campaign the Labour leader said the battle will be fought “on beaches” and “on sea fronts” as he set out his plan to challenge the Conservatives for the seat of Croydon Central.

It is reminiscent of Mr Churchill’s famous 1940 speech in which he vowed that British Forces would “fight on the beaches”.

But Mr Corbyn was criticised for refusing to answer questions at the event after being driven away by aides following the speech.

He said: “This election is going to be fought on the streets of this country. Up and down.

“In town halls, in streets, on beaches, on sea fronts, we are taking that message of the kind of country and kind of society we want to be.”

He added: “This election is about the future of all of us – the future of our children, the future of social justice, the future of our jobs. Are we going to be a country that gives riches and makes riches for all of us or are we going to be a country that works only to make the richest even richer? I know which side I’m on, you know which side you are on.”

The London seat is Labour’s top target in the capital, where the party enjoys broad support, as sitting MP Gavin Barwell has a majority of just 165.

In a speech today Mr Corbyn will hit back at the so-called “establishment” of Westminster and the media by vowing not to “play by the rules” during the campaign.

Mr Corbyn said that a Labour government would conduct “responsible” Brexit negotiations to ensure future trading relations with the remaining EU. And he said it would invest in the economy through a national investment bank.

“What’s the Tory alternative?” he asked. “To give away £70 billion in tax cuts to the rich and big business and corporations between now and 2020.”

The Labour leader was mobbed by supporters following his brief address, signing autographs and posing for photographs and selfies as he made his way through the crowd.

A passer-by commented: “I hope you become prime minister”, prompting a smile and thanks from Mr Corbyn.