May to claim Corbyn is 'uncertain' on Brexit while she is '100% committed'
The PM is expected to change tack as polls suggest the Tories' lead has been cut after criticism of proposals on social care.
Monday 22 May 2017 11:49, UK
Theresa May is expected to use a visit to North Wales today to try and steer the focus of the election back towards her leadership and the upcoming Brexit negotiations.
It follows a weekend dogged by criticism of her proposed changes to pensions and social care funding.
It is understood the Prime Minister will use the launch of the Welsh Conservative manifesto to accuse Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of being "uncertain" on Brexit, and claim in contrast that she is "100% committed to the cause".
Mrs May is expected to say: "There are just 17 days to go until this crucial General Election.
"Just 11 days after that, the European Union wants the Brexit negotiations to begin.
"The UK's seat at the negotiating table will be filled by me or Jeremy Corbyn. The deal we seek will be negotiated by me or Jeremy Corbyn.
"There will be no time to waste and no time for a new government to find its way. So the stakes in this election are high."
It follows a series of opinion polls published over the weekend that suggested the Conservative lead over Labour had narrowed since the launch of the party manifestos, although the gap still points towards a sizeable Conservative majority.
But Mr Corbyn has claimed that Labour's message is now "getting through" to voters, and will seek to make further appeals to young people ahead of the 11.59pm deadline this evening.
Adding to its manifesto pledge to abolish tuition fees in 2018, Labour will offer to write off fees for students planning to start university this September.
The party claims its policy to scrap tuition fees could benefit around 400,000 students from this autumn.
"If students sitting their A-levels now want a say on their future they need to register to vote before tonight's deadline and vote Labour on 8 June," said shadow education secretary Angela Rayner.
In response, a Conservative spokesman said: "There are now more students from disadvantaged backgrounds getting into university than ever before.
"But if Jeremy Corbyn is in charge of our Brexit negotiations, all of this will be under threat."
Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron will seek to maintain pressure on Mrs May over what he has dubbed the "dementia tax" put forward in the Conservative manifesto.
The proposals would require elderly people to pay for care received at home from their own assets, including the value of their property.
The money would be levied on their estate after death - with only the last £100,000 of assets protected.
Mr Farron has written to a number of organisations including Age UK, the British Medical Association, the Trades Union Congress, and Alzheimer's Research UK whose president is former Prime Minister David Cameron, urging them to join a "national movement" to oppose the plans.
"Every elderly person that needs care should receive it in the best place for them and not be fearful of those mounting, limitless costs," Mr Farron wrote.
"I am determined that we ensure that Theresa May drops the so-called 'dementia tax' and implement a cap on the cost of care."
He added: "Caring for our elderly must be above party politics and that is why I want to urge anyone who opposes the Conservatives' plans to come together to stop it."
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