"WE'RE ready to fight a General Election whenever it comes and we’re on the front foot for the local elections in May.”

That's the message from Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Redditch Rebecca Jenkins after leader Jeremy Corbyn visited Redditch last week and told party faithful that he is ready for a general election.

During a rally for Labour members in the town, Jeremy Corbyn threw his weight behind Rebecca, who aims to overturn a 7,500 Conservative majority in the constituency.

During a visit to South Redditch Sports and Social Club on February 7, Mr Corbyn spoke to members of the audience before delivering a speech outlining his vision for Britain under a Labour government and launched a blistering attack on the Conservatives.

He said: "I'm hoping for a general election in 2019, it's about winning in marginal constituencies across the country.

"This government has shown who it represents, two weeks ago I sent out a fundraising letter and within 24 hours we raised £100,000, the average donation was £25.

"Last night the Tories had a fundraising event, Theresa May came back from Brussels.

"Tickets cost £15,000 each - it's pretty clear what the ground rules are for the next election."

The Labour leader pledged if he became Prime Minister the NHS would be "properly funded" and a Labour government would create a National Education Service.

He said: "A National Education Service would take away the principle of education as a commodity, it's our job to educate and support every child."

He also promised to break down the gig economy by abolishing zero hours contracts and set the living wage at £10.

Mr Corbyn said: "I don't define employment as being on a zero hours contract. If an employer feels like giving you a day's work, I call that stress."

He turned his attention to Brexit and told party members both leavers and remainers were living in poverty because of Conservative policies.

He also said: "I have spent the last three years talking to socialist groups all over Europe, we will be working with them whatever happens."

Rebecca Jenkins said: “We’re doing things differently. On a Thursday afternoon in South Redditch over 100 people turned up to discuss how we can improve and change our community.

“This wasn’t an election rally, it was an in-depth discussion about our town, the problems that people are facing, and how Labour’s plan for Britain would transform Redditch.

“Jeremy addressed the meeting and went round the tables and spoke to dozens of people. We’re ready to fight a General Election whenever it comes and we’re on the front foot for the local elections in May.”