THERESA May’s General Election got the green light yesterday — as she accused Jeremy Corbyn of plotting a tax raid on working people to fund a £500billion spree.
Theresa May accused Jeremy Corbyn of plotting a tax raid on working people to fund a £500billion spreeCredit: PA:Press Association
The Tory leader then immediately hit the campaign trail and accused Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn of wanting to unleash £500billion extra spending — dwarfing his party’s tax bombshell of the 1992 election.
But Mrs May lashed out to insist Mr Corbyn would “bankrupt our economy, weaken our defences and is simply not fit to lead”.
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Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell threatened hefty tax rises for people who earn more than £70,000 if Labour winCredit: PA:Press Association
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Mrs May lashed out at Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell - seen here mocked up as Indiana Jones and his father from the film 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'
The PM said: “This is a Labour party going into the election having pledged to borrow an extra £500billion.
“What voters know is it’s ordinary working people who pay the price of the Labour party.
“They pay it with their taxes, they pay it with their jobs and they pay it with their children’s futures.”
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Conservative MP Bob Neill claimed it was the 'biggest tax grab' he'd seen from Labour in his political careerCredit: PA:Press Association
Tory MP Bob Neill said: “This is the Mother of all Tax Bombs, that will only hurt ordinary people.
“I’ve been active in politics since 1970 and this is the biggest tax grab from Labour I’ve seen yet.”
It was a sign of how ambitious the Tories will be in the seven weeks ahead. Labour MP Sir David Crausby won it just two years ago with a comfortable majority of 4,377.
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Theresa May showed ambitious intentions by starting her campaigning in Tory-target seat Bolton North East, which is currently a Labour-held seatCredit: Reuters
The PM used a speech for local Tory activists to ask the nation to give her a Brexit mandate.
Mrs May said: “Give me the mandate to lead Britain. Give me the mandate to speak for Britain.
“Give me the mandate to fight for Britain. And give me the mandate to deliver for Britain.”
She also pledged: “I’m going to be getting out and about around the country and taking our case to every part of the United Kingdom.”
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Earlier Mrs May told the Commons that she has “made my choice”, insisting it is “a choice that runs through my party more than any other — to trust the people”.
She urged MPs: “Let us lay out our plans for Brexit. Let us put our fate in the hands of the people and then let the people decide.”
PM BACKS HER TORIES
THE Prime Minister yesterday backed dozens of Conservative MPs possibly facing charges of electoral fraud.
Labour’s Dennis Skinner said letting them stand again while under investigation for alleged breaches in spending limits in the 2015 election rendered the vote “squalid”. But Mrs May said: “I stand by all the Conservative MPs.” The CPS said the timing of the election would not affect legal proceedings.
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The Prime Minister called for local Tory activists to ask the nation to give her a Brexit mandateCredit: Reuters
Coining what is expected to be her General Election catchphrase, the PM added: “That’s what this election will be about — leadership and stability”.
Mr Corbyn also made his first election campaign visit last night to the Tory marginal seat of Croydon Central, held by Housing Minister Gavin Barwell with a majority of just 165.
The Labour chief attempted to steer the election away from the PM’s bid to make it about Brexit.
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Meanwhile Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn kickstarted his campaign trail in Conservative-held CroydonCredit: PA:Press Association
Mr Corbyn said: “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?”
GINA FUND FOR PRO-EU
PRO-EU campaigner Gina Miller will spearhead a fundraising drive for anti-Brexit candidates at the election.
The millionaire financier, who won a court fight to secure a Commons vote for our EU divorce, also plans a tour of marginal seats. Mrs Miller said Theresa May did not have a mandate to “destroy our relationship with Europe”. Last night her appeal had raised £60,000.
Spread-betting firm IG predicted a Tory majority of 90.
After the landmark Commons vote, Tory MP Desmond Swayne teased Labour MPs by saying: “I told my constituents turkeys will not vote for Christmas.
“I congratulate my right honourable friend for having achieved the impossible and secured the fact that today those turkeys will indeed vote for that.”
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Chancellor Philip Hammond branded Jeremy Corbyn's leadership 'weak and unstable'Credit: Alamy
He said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s right-hand man has shown us the serious choice at this election, between strong and stable leadership from Theresa May and the Conservatives or a coalition of chaos led by Jeremy Corbyn.
“The weak and unstable leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, propped up by the Lib Dems and the Scottish Nationalists, would wreck the economy and weaken our hand in the Brexit negotiations.
“Only the Conservatives have a plan for a Stronger Britain which will build a stronger economy that rewards people who work hard and creates secure and well-paid jobs.”
A TORY MP who has been battling cancer says he will stand in the election. Grantham and Stamford member Nick Boles, 51, said recent scans showed his cancer had been eradicated.
BREXIT CLAIM IS RUDDY SILLY
THERESA May slapped down her own Home Secretary to insist her snap general election is not about giving more ground to the EU for a good Brexit deal.
Sparking alarm among hardline Brexiteers, Amber Rudd said a significantly increased Tory majority would give the PM “the opportunity to arrive at potential compromises within the EU”. But quizzed by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on whether she called the election to win wriggle room, Mrs May insisted: “No. This negotiation is going to be about getting the best possible deal for the UK.” Brexit campaigner Iain Duncan Smith added: “The PM has made her position clear on Europe. “These are silly games being played by people.” Business bosses said they hoped an early election will give the PM more power to deliver a “soft landing” for Brexit.
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