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I welcome the Prime Minister’s call for a general election .

It will give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first.

In the last couple of weeks, Labour has set out policies that offer a clear and credible choice for the country.

Theresa May wants to make this election a re-run of the EU referendum. But the decision to leave has already been settled by the British people.

The question now is what sort of country do we want Britain to be after Brexit.

The Conservatives want to turn us into a low-wage tax haven.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Rex)

Labour will be offering a real alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy and delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS.

The Tories have spent the past seven years giving the super-rich one tax break after another. They will have handed out £73 billion in welfare for the wealthy by 2022.

They justified this by saying it would increase in investment. But investment in the UK has fallen, leaving us with antiquated infrastructure and uncompetitive industries.

That is why Labour will set up a national investment bank and regional development banks – including our ‘Bank of the North’ - to help unlock £500 billion to fund major capital projects and finance growth.

Investment in infrastructure, skills, broadband and high speed rail generates growth and tax revenues. It more than pays for itself.

(Image: AFP)

Instead of a country run for the rich, Labour wants to see one in which all of us can lead richer lives.

A Labour government will rebuild the economy, raise living standards, invest in education and the NHS and end the race to the bottom in the jobs market.

Theresa May said this General Election is about leadership. If she really believes that, she should not be dodging head-to-head TV debates.

I am more than happy to debate her government’s record and argue the case for a better future for Britain. It’s the least people deserve.