Theresa May calls on Labour voters to strengthen her hand on June 8th

Theresa May has called on Labour voters to “lend” her their vote, in order to strengthen her hand heading into Brexit negotiations.

In her speech in the traditionally Labour city of Leeds, May appeared to note the difficulties that Britain may face during the negotiations for the first time. Responding to Angela Merkel’s recent criticism that the UK was reluctant to face the reality of Brexit, she admitted that “we can see how tough those negotiations are going to be at times.”

She then appealed to Labour voters to support her and give power to her negotiating stance:

“Our opponents are already seeking to disrupt those negotiations – at the same time as 27 other European countries line up to oppose us.

“So we need the strongest possible hand, the strongest possible mandate and the strongest possible leadership as we go into those talks.

“If you vote for me to strengthen my hand at the negotiating table in Brussels, I will do everything I can to represent the interests of every person in this great city – and every person in this great country.”

May has been touring several cities traditionally held by Labour in an attempt to strengthen her lead in the polls, which has slipped from its initial 24-points to a lower, but still daunting, 16-point lead.

The Conservatives main tactic has been to compare Theresa May to Jeremy Corbyn, highlighting to voters that only one of these will be the Prime Minister after June 8th.