Jeremy Corbyn will tonight tell Labour activists he is ready for an election, as he prepares for his third party conference as leader.
Mr Corbyn goes into this year’s gathering stronger than ever, after the Tories’ Commons majority was wiped out in June’s general election.
Yesterday he declared Labour was ready for power, saying: “The election has changed politics in this country. We are now the mainstream .
“The Government lacks any sense of direction. They are hiding behind parliamentary power-grabs to avoid scrutiny.”
Mr Corbyn also revealed plans to again tour marginal constituencies and complete selections in 100 key seats by the end of the year.
Vowing to heap pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May, he said: “We will use our strength in Parliament and support in the country to challenge the Tories.
"Wherever we can, we will block their attempts to pay for tax cuts for the richest by making life worse for millions of people.
“[Labour has] a social agenda of investment in housing, health and social care, and industrial needs. We are ready for an election.”
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Tonight, he will tell activists how this year’s conference differs from the 2015 and 2016 events, when the party was split by his leadership.
Mr Corbyn is expected to accuse the Tories of trying to hide from scrutiny, while Labour is “open and democratic”.
He will pledge “that’s the type of party we will be in government”, said senior sources.
Activists begin gathering in Brighton today with the four-day conference launching tomorrow.