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THERESA MAY

Local election landslide is not enough – Tories need a general election victory to ensure strong and stable Brexit leadership

PM warns against complacency and asks Sun on Sunday readers to help win Brexit mandate

IN the local elections on Thursday, people from right across Britain cast their vote for my Conservative candidates.

I am proud that we were able to win with support in all parts of England, Scotland and Wales, and with the backing of people who had never voted Conservative before — and to show that there are no “no-go” areas for my party.

 Theresa May says after a Conservative landslide in local elections Tories cannot grow complacent
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Theresa May says after a Conservative landslide in local elections Tories cannot grow complacentCredit: Reuters

I want to thank every Sun on Sunday reader who cast their ballot for me and my team.

But none of these votes will count in the General Election on June 8, when the nation faces a clear choice: Who should lead the country for the next five years — me or Jeremy Corbyn?

Who do you want battling for Britain in the Brexit negotiations — me or ­Jeremy Corbyn?

 Theresa May claims Jeremy Corbyn will not be able to stand up to EU leaders
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Theresa May claims Jeremy Corbyn will not be able to stand up to EU leadersCredit: Reuters

Who do you want standing up for your interests against those in Brussels who do not want us to succeed — me or ­Jeremy Corbyn?

The stakes are high. So I need to ask for your support again.

Because the local election results did nothing to change the fundamental point at the heart of the General Election ­campaign — the need for a strong ­mandate to take to Brussels in the Brexit negotiations, so we can get the best deal for Britain.

 Mrs May says she is best bet to deal with bullying bureaucrats
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Mrs May says she is best bet to deal with bullying bureaucratsCredit: PA:Press Association

We did not gain one extra seat in Westminster. The other parties are still determined to do a deal to put Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street. My position is no stronger today than it was before the votes were cast.

Local council elections do not matter to bureaucrats in Brussels. In their minds — and in those of other politicians in Europe — they do nothing to strengthen my hand for the Brexit ­negotiations to come.

Indeed, even as results were rolling in on Friday, those same politicians were lining up at a conference in Italy to harden their stance ahead of the talks.

They even took the opportunity to ­dismiss the importance of the English language — the language of international business that is spoken by millions of people around the world.

That is why I am not taking anything for granted, and why I will continue to do everything I can to earn your support over the next 32 days.

Because this General Election could not be more important. In fact, it is the most important the country has faced in my lifetime.

Our future prosperity, our place in the world, our standard of living and the opportunities we want for our children all depend on getting the Brexit deal and the next five years right.

That starts with the General Election on June 8.

A vote for me and my team in that election is a vote to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond.

A vote for me and my team will strengthen my hand in the negotiations to come by sending a strong signal to Europe about our determination and our unity of purpose.

A vote for me and my team will be a vote to lock in economic security for you and your family, and for us to get on with the job of making life in this United Kingdom even better.

Nothing could be more important than that.

 The PM and her team are visiting all areas of the country to meet voters and address their concerns
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The PM and her team are visiting all areas of the country to meet voters and address their concernsCredit: Reuters
 Workers who may be affected by Brexit need a leader who can deliver a good deal for them
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Workers who may be affected by Brexit need a leader who can deliver a good deal for themCredit: Reuters

So I am not taking anything for granted, and neither will my team. There is too much at stake. We cannot afford to take the risk of the opposition parties forming a coalition of chaos that would send a weak, floundering Jeremy ­Corbyn to negotiate for Britain in ­Brussels.

Just imagine that. Our future in the hands of Jeremy Corbyn, sitting across the table from 27 EU leaders determined to make Brexit work for them, not Britain.

 Britain needs someone capable at its helm to steer Brexit negotiations
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Britain needs someone capable at its helm to steer Brexit negotiationsCredit: PA:Press Association

I will do everything I can over the next 32 days to ensure that doesn’t ­happen, but I need you — the readers of The Sun on Sunday — to do everything you can, too.

That means getting out, speaking to your family and friends and delivering a simple message: In this crucial election for our country, you need to make your vote count.

A vote for any other party is a vote to put Jeremy Corbyn into Number 10 with parties such as the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Nationalists pulling the strings.

 Voting Jeremy Corbyn into parliament would throw Britain into chaos
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Voting Jeremy Corbyn into parliament would throw Britain into chaosCredit: Reuters

Leaving it to others and not using your vote at all will deliver exactly the same result.

But a vote for me will send a message to the bureaucrats in Brussels and strengthen my hand as I negotiate for Britain in Europe.

It will mean five years of strong and stable leadership for a stronger, more secure Britain.

Nothing makes me more proud than representing this great country on the world stage. Give me your backing to do so and I will not let you down.

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