Don’t let May win like Maggie, says Yvette Cooper on visit to Sedgley

That was the message from Yvette Cooper as she joined the campaign trail in the Black Country.

The former Shadow Home Secretary was the latest Labour big hitter to suggest the party was unlikely to win the General Election on June 8.

But she insisted those who don't think Jeremy Corbyn should be Prime Minister should vote to keep hard-working Labour MPs in their seats.

Ms Cooper said a Tory landslide would be damaging for Britain - as she sidestepped questions about whether she could be the next Labour leader.

She visited Sedgley yesterday alongside Dudley North Labour MP Ian Austin where she met with residents to discuss concerns about crime and policing.

While she wouldn't be drawn on whether she agreed with some the more radical parts of Mr Corbyn's Labour manifesto, such as nationalising the railways, she stressed the party's message was right.

Ms Cooper said: "The principle behind it is right, we need to stand up for the many and not the few and for Dudley the challenge is who is the best person to stand up for them.

"We need to fight for every possible vote for Labour candidates across the country."

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson and Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden are among those who have acknowledged Labour face a tall order to secure victory, instead focusing on urging voters to prevent a Tory landslide.

On Labour's election chances, Ms Cooper said: "We know what the polls show.

"Theresa May decided to call this election at a time when the polls put her ahead of Labour.

"What she wants is a Theresa May-style landslide. That would hit communities across the country hard."

Asked about her leadership ambitions in the event of a Labour defeat, she responded: "I am fighting for this General Election, for people like Ian (Austin), fighting for every vote. That has got to be the focus."