Theresa May: 'UK will have brighter future after Brexit'

Theresa May said Britain can look forward to a "brighter future" after Brexit as she sought to breathe new life into the Tory election campaign.

It comes a day after she was slammed for refusing to take part in a major TV debate which was attended by other party leaders.

The prime minister sent Home Secretary Amber Rudd, whose father died two days ago, in her place instead.

With just a week to go before the nation goes to the polls, Mrs May tried to get voters on side in a speech in the north east.

She said freed from the "shackles" of Brussels, the UK could again become "a country that takes the decisions that matter to Britain here in Britain".

Theresa May campaigns in Bath on Wednesday. Credit: PA

Mrs May added: "We can build a Britain beyond Brexit that is stronger, fairer and more prosperous than it is today.

"A Britain beyond Brexit that is more global and outward-looking.

"A Britain alive with possibilities, more confident in itself, more united and more secure.

"A country our children and grandchildren are proud to call home.

"If we get Brexit right, we can be a confident, self-governing country once again.

Labour will protect the UK economy, jobs and standard of living, Jeremy Corbyn will say. Credit: PA

She also launched a renewed attack on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, warning he was not capable of negotiating a new deal with the EU.

"You can only deliver Brexit if you believe in Brexit. You can only fight for Britain if you believe in Britain.

"You can only deliver for Britain if you have the strength, the plan and the determination to see it through," she said.

"And what we know in this election is that the only other person that can be prime minister in seven days' time is simply not up to the job.

"He doesn't believe in Britain. He doesn't have a plan. He doesn't have what it takes."

The party leaders who did attend the major TV debate. Credit: PA

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will deliver his party's vision for Brexit in a speech in London later this afternoon.

He will say Britain faces crashing out of the European Union without a new trade deal at the hands of "reckless" Conservatives.

Mr Corbyn is expected to say: "Theresa May says no deal is better than a bad deal.

"Let's be clear: 'no deal' is in fact a bad deal. It is the worst of all deals because it would leave us with World Trade Organisation tariffs and restrictions, instead of the access to European markets we need.

"That would mean slapping tariffs on the goods we export - an extra 10% on cars - with the risk that key manufacturers would leave for the European mainland, taking skilled jobs with them.

"In sector after sector, 'no deal' could prove to be an economic disaster - Theresa May's approach risks a jobs meltdown across Britain."

Brexit negotiations with Brussels are set to begin on June 19.