Below is the opening text of Jeremy Corbyn’s speech in Telford.

It’s a real pleasure to be here in Telford in my home county of Shropshire where I first started campaigning for a better society and I’ve never stopped! And what’s inspiring is that I see that same passion in young people today who are campaigning in this general election.

Since we began our campaign last week thousands of people have come to events like this, have gone out door knocking, and have been spreading Labour’s message of hope on social media. The atmosphere is electric. Because we all know this election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country and tear down the barriers that are holding people back.

A chance to rebuild our NHS, schools and police by taxing those at the top to properly fund services for everyone. And a chance to tackle the climate emergency, with a Green Industrial Revolution at the very heart of our transformation of Britain.

In this election, Labour is putting forward the most radical and far-reaching plan for real change in our lifetimes. But I know we have to work to win people’s trust. Because for all the excitement here, many people in our country have grown weary of politics. They’ve lost faith that politics can change anything that actually affects their lives. I understand that.

Let’s be honest, Westminster hasn’t covered itself in glory recently. The childish insults, the rowdy MPs, the weird rules – it’s all a long way from the reality of people’s daily lives.

If you’re working long hours for wages that barely cover your bills, food and rent and nothing ever changes, you’re right to feel frustrated with the political system. It isn’t working for you.

Politics should be about your life, your community, your job – the issues you face every day of the week. For me, real politics isn’t about shouting matches in parliament. I’m not interested. I don’t do personal attacks.

For me, real politics – the politics I stand for – is about sharing power and wealth with people who don’t have a lot of money and don’t have friends in high places – so they can take control of their own lives. My job as leader, and my party’s task, is to champion those people, and bring about real change.

Like here in Telford where a fantastic local community campaign, the local Labour Party and Katrina are fighting the closure of your women and children’s centre and the downgrading of the A&E department. To me, that’s real politics – bringing people together to stand up for their community. That’s why I became an MP.

I’ve never thought MPs are special individuals with unique wisdom. It’s not supposed to be a glamorous job. It’s a platform for your community, not for yourself. That’s how I see it.

When I was elected leader of the Labour Party, I was proud to have the chance to extend that principle into everything we do. To put Labour at the heart of communities standing alongside the people we seek to represent.

And I was proud to see our party grow into not just the biggest in Britain, but the biggest in Western Europe, with half a million members determined to put wealth and power in the hands of the many and build a fairer country that cares for all.

You know, my view of leadership is different from the one people are used to. Yes I believe leaders should have clear principles that people can trust, and the strength and commitment not to be driven off course. You have to stand for something. But leaders must also trust others to play their part.

Think of it like this: a good leader doesn’t just barge through a door and let it swing back in the faces of those following behind. A good leader holds open the door for others to walk through. Because everyone has a contribution to make.

So when I talk about real change, that isn’t something that will be done to you. It’s something that can only be done with you. So if you, the British people, elect a Labour government on 12 December, I will be proud to be your Prime Minister. Because I will be a very different kind of Prime Minister.

Not the kind of Prime Minister who believes he was born to rule. Not the kind who thinks politics is is a game…

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