General Election: Jeremy Corbyn to use first speech to blast 'the elite'

31 October 2019, 05:03

By EJ Ward

Jeremy Corbyn is set to attack what he's calling a "corrupt system" in Britain as he launches Labour's General Election campaign.

With just 42 days until Britain goes to the polls he will use his first major speech to hit out at the "tax dodgers, bad bosses, big polluters, and billionaire-owned media holding our country back."

One subject that is noticeable by its absence is Brexit, the Labour leader is not expected to comment on the UK's departure from the EU, on what would have been 'Brexit Day.'

Labour have said that should they be elected then they would work to hold a second referendum on Brexit.

It is believed Mr Corbyn will use the speech in London to "call out" people like the media baron Rupert Murdoch, and the Duke of Westminster.

He will say that "the elite" are scared of the British people, which is why "they'll throw everything" at Labour in the upcoming election.

Mr Corbyn will also hit out at Boris Johnson and the Tories accusing them of only protecting "the privileged few," and suggesting while they care about the rich members of society they have cut "vital services and support for everyone else."

On Wednesday Mr Corbyn spoke to LBC News and ruled out a coalition with "the SNP or any other party."

In his speech on Thursday the Labour leader will promise change, he will say: "But real change is coming.

"This election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country, take on the vested interests holding people back and ensure that no community is left behind.

"You know what really scares the elite?

"What they're actually afraid of is paying their taxes.

"So in this election, they'll fight harder and dirtier than ever before. They'll throw everything at us because they know we're not afraid to take them on.

"So, we're going after the tax dodgers. We're going after the dodgy landlords. We're going after the bad bosses. We're going after the big polluters. Because we know whose side we're on.

"So are you on the side of the tax dodgers, who are taking us all for a ride?

"People who think it's OK to rip people off, hide their money in tax havens so they can have a new superyacht.

"Or the children with special educational needs who aren't getting the support they deserve because of Tory and Lib Dem government cuts?

"Whose side are you on? The dodgy landlords, like the Duke of Westminster, Britain's youngest billionaire, who tried to evict whole blocks of families to make way for luxury apartments? Or the millions of tenants in Britain who struggle to pay their rent each month?

"And whose side are you on? The billionaire media barons like Rupert Murdoch, whose empire pumps out propaganda to support a rigged system.

"Or the overwhelming majority who want to live in a decent, fair, diverse and prosperous society?"

Conservative Party Chairman, James Cleverly fired back at Mr Corbyn suggesting votes for Labour would cause a delay to Brexit, this comes after the party said they would legislate to hold a second referendum is elected.

Mr Cleverly said: “A vote for Labour is not a vote for change. It is precisely the opposite - a vote for more delay and uncertainty on Brexit, meaning the Government can’t focus on people’s priorities, like the NHS, schools and crime.

“Corbyn’s extreme economic ideas would wreck the economy like Labour always do – with fewer jobs, less money for public services and ordinary people paying the price through higher taxes.

“Only Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party will get Brexit done meaning we can get on with investing in our NHS, tackling violent crime, and cutting the cost of living – including increasing the National Living Wage to £10.50.”