Gordon Brown urges Labour vote at rally without mentioning Jeremy Corbyn

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has urged voters to back Labour candidates who will hold the Government to account.

The Labour heavyweight attacked the Conservatives' record on the NHS and child poverty, as he pressed Theresa May to reveal her hand for Brexit negotiations and her strategy on trade.

But Mr Brown failed to mention Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at all in a 25-minute campaign speech, instead urging voters in Coventry to back Labour's three candidates for the city at the General Election.

Mr Brown said: "Ask yourself, is the National Health Service safe with the Conservative candidates, or the Ukip candidates, or the Liberal candidates in Coventry?

"Or is it safe with the people who have always fought for the health service, that supported the extra funding, that made the promises and want to see them kept, that will hold the Government to account on the National Health Service.

"I say to you, the National Health Service is safe only in the hands of Labour people who will fight every day."

Mr Brown repeatedly spoke of getting "advocates" and "champions" for the region in the Commons.

He also urged Mrs May to give straight answers on questions on her domestic policy, rather than just "slogans and sound bites".

He added: "Mrs May says she wants this single issue election to strengthen her hand with Europe.

"But as Geoffrey (Robinson) has just said, we don't know what her hand is - she is not telling us what her hand is in these negotiations.

"And it is to be at the cost of manufacturing and the cost of the car industry and the cost of jobs if we are not told what we are voting for on June 8.

"She wants a free hand - she wants us to write her a blank cheque."

The former prime minister and chancellor said Mrs May should secure tariff-free access to trade with the EU, as well as "frictionless access" for parts and components for the region's car industry to move across Europe.

He also said the Conservatives' record on the NHS "shames" Britain, adding that Mrs May risked "leaving the country more socially divided than ever unless there is a change in policy".

Speaking in front of a Harrier jump jet at Coventry University, Mr Brown said: "When Mrs May says she is for those people just getting by, the Conservative Party are walking by on the other side and ignoring these needs.

"Politics does go in cycles, which we know.

"The test, however, is what we do in the difficult times.

"Because you don't lose the courage to fight for what you believe in, you don't stand back and say this is now not for me, it's too difficult, that you continue to fight and support and champion what really matters to the future of this country."