Speaking ahead of the UK election, S&D Group president Gianni Pittella said:

“The UK is at a crossroads. At the crucial elections tomorrow, we stand firmly for Labour and Jeremy Corbyn. He has demonstrated himself to be a reliable and responsible leader. In this difficult time, with so many challenges in front of us, British citizens should think twice before choosing someone who has failed to live up to expectations, especially on security. 

“Unfortunately, the latest terrorist attacks in UK have clearly illustrated the illusions and the dangers of the Tories' take back control rhetoric. These attacks show that a common threat such as terrorism needs common action and co-ordinated prevention. This needs to be based on information and data exchange between national intelligence agencies in the EU - and this cooperation must continue after Brexit. This is essential and shows that strong cooperation between the UK and the remaining EU member states is in everyone’s interests.

“Isolation, the approach apparently favoured by Theresa May and the Tories, is the exact opposite of what the UK and the fight against terrorism requires.

“Let's really take back control. Let's go for a reliable, competent and responsible leader like Jeremy Corbyn. Let's take back control this time for the many and not the few: let’s vote Labour.”