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“Let’s go out there, not for ourselves but for the future of our country,” the Prime Minster declared. “My very simple message is – vote Conservative in the national interest.” She appealed to life-long Labour supporters to reject Jeremy Corbyn’s Left-wing extremism and back the Tories for the first time in their lives.

GETTY Theresa May urged voters to 'fix their sight on a better future' in her final election plea

In a statement released ahead of the polling stations opening at 7am this morning, Mrs May said: “Today is a day for everybody across the country to fix their sights on the future and vote for a better future of fairness, security and opportunity for all. “That is the future I want for Britain as we fulfil the promise of Brexit together. “If we get Brexit right, we can build a Britain that is more prosperous and more secure. A Britain in which prosperity and opportunity is shared by all. A Britain where it’s not where you come from or who your parents are that matter but the talent you have and how hard you are prepared to work. The greatest meritocracy in the world.

GETTY Theresa urged voters to vote for a better future of 'fairness and opportunity for all'

“That’s my ambition for Britain. Not just to get the right deal for Britain abroad, but to get a better deal for ordinary working people at home. To put the power of government firmly at their service, to stand up for the weak and stand up to the strong, and put the voices and interests of ordinary working people at the heart of everything we do. “It’s why I will build a Britain that is stronger, so that everyone has the security they need to live a full and happy life. Why I will build a Britain that is fairer, so that no one is left behind and every person has the chance to be all they want to be. Why I will build a Britain where prosperity and opportunity are shared across the country so that all can succeed.A stronger, more united country that stands tall in the world.

“This is the prize ahead if we get Brexit right. So if, like me, you believe in Britain. If, like me, you want our country to succeed. If, like me, you believe in putting division behind us, in looking to the future and getting on with the job of building the stronger, more secure country that we need, then fix your sights on the future. And in this unique and crucial election for our country, give me your backing to lead Britain, speak for Britain, fight for Britain, and deliver for Britain. “I can only build that better country and get the right deal in Brussels with the support of the British people. So whoever you have voted for in the past, if that is the future you want then vote Conservative today and we can all go forward together.” Her plea came as one of the last polling forecasts of the election campaign suggested the Tories could win a thumping Commons majority of up to 100 seats.

GETTY Theresa made an appeal to Labour's life-long voters to back Tories for the first time

Today is a day for everybody across the country to fix their sights on the future and vote for a better future of fairness, security and opportunity for all. Theresa May

A poll by ICM last night gave the Tories a 12 point lead over Labour. The Conservatives were up a point to 46 per cent, Labour down one to 34 per cent while the Lib Dems lagged on seven per cent. According to the Electoral Calculus website this would give Mrs May a 96-seat majority. A ComRes poll gave the Tories a 10 point lead with the Conservatives on 44 per cent to Labour’s 34 per cent. Mrs May made a final 600-mile campaign tour taking in the south coast, East Anglia and the Midlands, criss-crossing the country by battle bus and jet today. She began the day with an early morning meeting with meat workers at London’s Smithfield Market before heading on to a lawn bowling club in Southampton and a tour of a furniture store in Nottingham. She concluded her six-week push for votes with a rally in Birmingham where she was flanked by her Cabinet ministers. In a sign of Tory ambitions, she visited a string of Labour-held seats including Norwich South, where she said: “I would say to people it’s not a question of who you’ve voted for before, it’s a question of who they want to lead this country through, not just the next five years, but setting the direction of this country for the future.”

The TV election debate – in pictures Wed, May 31, 2017 The televised debate saw Jeremy Corbyn, Amber Rudd, Paul Nuttall, Caroline Lucas, Angus Robertson, Tim Farron and Leanne Wood go toe-to-toe Play slideshow PA 1 of 15 The politicians taking part in the debate

She told voters disillusioned by Labour’s lurch to the far Left: “We will be on your side, we will help with the cost of living and defeat those rip-off energy tariffs. “Through developing that strong economy, we can ensure we can invest in the NHS, we can provide a good school place for every child.” Mrs May also warned Tory supporters not to be complacent about the danger of Mr Corbyn snatching the keys to Downing Street with the backing of the Lib Dems and Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party. “There is one simple fact that nobody should forget – if we lose just six seats the Government loses its majority and that would mean that coalition of chaos with Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP with Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10 and John McDonnell at the Treasury,” she said. “And what a combination that would be. We know they would wreck our economy and ordinary working people would pay the price.” The Prime Minister added: “This is a really crucial election. It is the most critical election the country has faced in my lifetime.”

GETTY A poll by ICM today gave Tories a 12 point lead over Labour