LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn told supporters in Worthing to “get ready for a general election”.

During a visit to the town to meet supporters and some of the party’s South East England European election candidates, he said: "This Government can't last very long.

"In fact Theresa May doesn't seem to be doing very much today so perhaps I will give her a call, ask how things are going.

"And so, get ready for a general election. We will sort things out.

"Under a Labour Government, Britain would be a very, very different place."

Joking with the group, he added: "The Tories; I can't say I feel very sorry for them but I'm trying. I'm an incredibly generous person."

He visited the area after Labour doubled its seats on Worthing Borough Council during the local election earlier in the month.

Surrounded by supporters, Mr Corbyn knocked on selected doors in and around Queen Street.
He was also greeted in the street by well-wishers, including pie maker Gavin Williams.

He had based a personalised vegetarian pie for Mr Corbyn flavoured with mushroom, spinach and asparagus.

Before Mr Corbyn left he spoke to Diya Patel, four, who passed him on the pavement while on her way home from nursery with her mother.

The Labour leader declined to answer questions from the press during the visit.

Councillor Lavinia O’Connor said: “East Worthing and Shoreham Labour Party are delighted to welcome Jeremy Corbyn to Gaisford ward in Worthing to celebrate with us our local election success in Worthing this month and to go and speak to residents about the importance of voting Labour in these European Elections”.

Mr Corbyn congratulated and thanked Pat Schan for her 45 years of service as nurse and midwife for the NHS.

He said: “Public servants like Pat are what our country is built on.

“Thank you Pat for the 45 years you’ve given the NHS.”

He added: “East Worthing and Shoreham is an important seat.

“When we take this seat, we will have a Labour government.’’

East Worthing and Shoreham Labour Party member Paul Eustice said Mr Corbyn had a good reception on the doorstep.

He said: “He stayed for an hour so it was a flying visit, but he came down here to congratulate the five Labour councillors who gained a seat in the elections.

“He got a great reception on the doorsteps, which is a relief considering how national campaigning has been recently.

“He also came to deliver a boost to the South East in the European elections.

“He spoke to as many voters as he could, spreading the message of rebuilding communities and why they should vote for Labour in today’s elections.”

Mr Corbyn met Labour councillors from across success, including Henna Chowdhury, Worthing’s first female Muslim councillor.