What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jeremy Corbyn has kicked off his summer tour of Britain with a rally to delighted fans in Cornwall.

More than 1,000 people turned out as the Labour leader slammed Tory "crocodile tears" over the NHS and Donald Trump's "threats", apparently against North Korea.

In a lengthy speech to attendees who regularly cheered and clapped, Mr Corbyn said he would be touring marginal seats "all along the south coast", the Midlands and Wales for three weeks, ending with a campaign in Scotland and a Q&A at Edinburgh's Fringe festival.

Fans held banners saying "don't sell our NHS" and "kids for Corbyn" near Camborne, where local Tory MP George Eustice's majority was cut from 7,000 to 1,577 in the general election.

Mr Corbyn slammed new figures that show the NHS has now missed waiting time targets every month in a row for two years.

(Image: PA) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: PA)

"It's under threat from underfunding" he claimed. "It's under threat from privatisation. It's under threat from an internal market."

Demanding an end to the 1% pay rise cap for staff he said: "The next time Tory MPs tell you how wonderful the health service is... forgive me the crocodile tears. Pay them properly as well!"

But for the second time this week he would not directly condemn Venezuela's Socialist President Nicolas Maduro, who won sweeping powers in an election amid claims the official turnout was "manipulated".

Mr Corbyn, who has repeatedly backed Venezuela's government, said he takes UN allegations of human rights violations by security forces and pro-government armed groups "very seriously".

(Image: AFP) (Image: AFP)

But asked if he would now condemn Maduro's regime he replied: "I condemn all abuses of human rights."

He added: "The solution has to be dialogue in Venezuela, has to be independence of the judiciary, and has to be support for a process that brings about a peaceful long-term solution."

His comments came as it emerged his close ally Diane Abbott provides a House of Commons security pass for a co-coordinator of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, Matthew Willgress.

Matthew Willgress works part time on digital communications and social media and does not carry out work for the VSC while working for Ms Abbott, her spokeswoman said.

Mr Corbyn also urged Donald Trump to "ratchet down the rhetoric" after the US President threatened North Korea with "fire and fury".

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

He told journalists: "There is no such thing as an isolated nuclear attack. It would kill millions on both sides of the Korean border and of course in neighbouring countries."

He later added to his supporters: "Whilst I don't particularly want a fall-out with Donald Trump or anybody else I simply say to him quite gently - it's much better to build bridges than build walls.

"And it's much better to bring about peace by discussion rather than threat and to bring people along with you.

"And it's much better for all of us if we have a foreign policy based on peace, on justice and on human rights all around the world."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Getty)

Mr Corbyn is mostly holding private or members'-only meetings as he tours the country. Those included a visit this morning to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

He will hold a rally on the beach in Southport, Merseyside, from 6pm on Friday 18 August and a third rally in Glasgow towards the end of the month.

Introduced as the "next Prime Minister of Cornwall", he told fans Labour's election manifesto was on its third reprint "because so many people want copies of it".

He said "we didn't play by the rules" in the election and Labour defied the "commentariat".

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Challenging Theresa May to another election he added: "Whenever this government finally realises it has no mandate, it has no long term future and it makes way for another chance at the ballot box, let's take it with both hands, win those seats, win that election and get a Labour government elected."

Mr Corbyn returned from a holiday in Croatia on Saturday and began the event with a low-key visit to a doctor's surgery in Crawley, Sussex, on Monday.

Meanwhile he has given his backing to a four-day music and politics festival in Brighton by the left-wing group Momentum - timed to happen at the same time as Labour's party conference.

The group first held its 'The World Transformed' festival a short walk from Labour's conference in Liverpool last year.

Theresa May remains on a two-week walking holiday in the Swiss Alps with husband Philip after spending a week in northern Italy at the end of July.

She is due back in Downing Street on Monday and will reportedly unveil a string of 'position papers' on Brexit within days.