Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told supporters to “get ready for a general election”.

During a visit to Worthing, West Sussex, on Thursday to meet some of the party’s South East England European election candidates, he said: “This Government can’t last very long.

Jeremy Corbyn
Mr Corbyn stopped to chat with four-year-old Diya in Worthing (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“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.

Jeremy Corbyn
Mr Corbyn was given a personalised spinach, asparagus and mushroom pie by local resident Gavin Williams (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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.

Pie
There was no doubt over who the intended recipient of the pie was (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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.