(Check against delivery)
I
have just been to Buckingham Palace for an audience with Her Majesty The Queen
to mark the dissolution of this Parliament.
The
2015 Parliament is now at an end, and in 36 days the country will elect a new
Government and choose the next Prime Minister. The choice you now face is all
about the future.
Whoever
wins on 8 June will face one overriding task: to get the best possible deal for
this United Kingdom from Brexit.
And
in the last few days, we have seen just how tough these talks are likely to be.
Britain’s
negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental
press.
The
European Commission’s negotiating stance has hardened.
Threats
against Britain have been issued by European politicians and officials.
All
of these acts have been deliberately timed to affect the result of the general
election that will take place on 8 June.
By
contrast, I made clear in my letter to the President of the European Council
invoking Article 50 last month that, in leaving the European Union, Britain
means no harm to our friends and allies on the continent.
We
continue to believe that no deal is better for Britain than a bad deal.
But
we want a deal. We want a deep and special partnership with the European
Union.
And
we want the EU to succeed.
But
the events of the last few days have shown that – whatever our wishes, and
however reasonable the positions of Europe’s other leaders – there are some in
Brussels who do not want these talks to succeed.
Who
do not want Britain to prosper.
So
now more than ever we need to be led by a Prime Minister and a Government that
is strong and stable.
Because
making Brexit a success is central to our national interest. And it is
central to your own security and prosperity.
Because
while there is enormous opportunity for Britain as we leave the European Union,
if we do not get this right, the consequences will be serious.
And
they will be felt by ordinary, working people across the country.
This
Brexit negotiation is central to everything.
If
we don’t get the negotiation right, your economic security and prosperity will
be put at risk and the opportunities you seek for your families will simply not
happen.
If
we do not stand up and get this negotiation right we risk the secure and
well-paid jobs we want for our children and our children’s children too.
If
we don’t get the negotiation right, if we let the bureaucrats of Brussels run
over us, we will lose the chance to build a fairer society with real
opportunity for all.
The
choice the country faces now is very simple. Because there are only two
people who can possibly be Prime Minister after the 8th of June to negotiate
Brexit.
It
is a choice between me – and Jeremy Corbyn.
With
me you will get strong and stable leadership, and an approach to Brexit that
locks in economic growth, jobs for our children and strong finances for the NHS
and the country’s schools.
Or
you will get Jeremy Corbyn with a hung parliament and a coalition of chaos.
Britain
simply will not get the right Brexit deal if we have the drift and division of
a hung parliament.
And
so with Jeremy Corbyn negotiating Brexit we will all pay a high price.
If
instead you want the best negotiation for you and for Britain, then you must
make your vote count.
Every
vote for me and my local candidates in this election will be a vote to
demonstrate that unity of purpose.
Every
vote for me and my local team will strengthen my hand when I negotiate for
Britain in Europe.
Every
vote for me will mean we can get on with delivering my plan for a stronger
Britain.
For
while the opposition parties look to refight the battles of the past or to
paint a vision of the future that is filled with despair, I am ambitious for
Britain.
Because
I believe our best days lie ahead.
I
believe that with dedication and hard work, we can make a success of Brexit,
have confidence in our country and stand tall in the world once again.
I
believe that we can build a stronger Britain, where our economic progress is
secured and prosperity and opportunity is shared around the country.
I
believe we can build a stronger economy that rewards all those who work hard,
and creates secure and well-paid jobs for our children and our children’s
children too.
I
believe we can build a fairer society with real opportunity for all, where
everyone has the chance to get on in life – where every child gets a good
school place and working people can buy a home of their own.
I
believe we can build a more secure and united nation by taking action against
the extremists who seek to divide us, and standing up to the separatists who
wish to tear our country apart.
And
I believe these simple values and aspirations are shared by ordinary working
people everywhere – and that they can bring this nation together as a
result.
For
as we face this critical time for our country – five years that will determine
the course of this United Kingdom for generations to come – we must do so
together.
With
a unity of purpose to make a success of Brexit and to build a stronger, more
secure country too.
So
in the weeks ahead, I will travel to all corners of this United Kingdom with a
positive vision for Britain and a determination to earn your vote.
And
I will do so with a clear message:
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.
Give
me your backing to speak for Britain.
Give
me your backing to fight for Britain.
And
give me your backing to deliver for Britain.
A
stronger Britain, where our economic progress is secured and prosperity and
opportunity is shared by all.
A
Britain that works, not just for the privileged few, but for every single one
of us.
ENDS
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