JEREMY Corbyn has accused Theresa May of “showing contempt for the public” by going into hiding and refusing to face ordinary voters or take part in televised debates during the election campaign.
The Prime Minister has appeared at a number of campaign rallies already but these are heavily organised and attended only by party activists.
It is thought that her election strategists, including Sir Lynton Crosby, have advised her against taking part in TV head-to-heads as, given the Tories are well ahead in the polls, she has more to lose than her opponents.
Mrs May has put the mantra of "strong and stable leadership" at the heart of her campaign, repeating the slogan as she ventured into constituencies deep in traditional Labour territory like Leeds East, Bridgend and Bolton North East.
But the Labour leader launched an attack on her from Labour HQ, saying: "Theresa May is hiding from the public; she won't take part in TV debates and she won't talk to voters.
"Refusing to debate Labour in this election isn't a sign of strength, it's a sign of weakness.
"In showing contempt for the public in this way, the Prime Minister is showing that it's Labour that stands up for the many, while she speaks only for the few.
"What is she afraid of? Voters deserve to know what political parties are offering," declared Mr Corbyn.
His broadside came as Mrs May took a day off campaigning to hold talks with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Prime Minister, at her country residence Chequers in Buckinghamshire.
It also came as a poll suggested a majority of voters wanted TV debates featuring the leaders of all the main parties.
Conservatives have said Mrs May does not intend to take part in any televised showdowns with her rivals, although she might take questions from studio audiences.
Labour has indicated that Mr Corbyn would only take part in a debate if the PM were also involved.
Research for the Electoral Reform Society[ERS], undertaken last weekend and involving 1,499 people, found 56 per cent of voters, rising to 71 per cent among 18-24 year-olds, regarded TV debates as important in helping them decide how to cast their ballots.
Some 46 per cent thought all major party leaders should commit to take part against just 23 per cent, who said there was no need for them to.
A majority of Conservative supporters, 52 per cent, agreed the debates were important but Tory voters were split over whether leaders should commit to taking part with 37 per cent saying they should and 38 per cent saying they should not.
Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of the ERS, said: "These figures show voters now see TV debates as 'part of the furniture' of a General Election.
"That's particularly the case for younger voters, meaning it's therefore crucial for youth engagement that they take place.
"With both Conservatives and Labour voters agreeing TV debates are important, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn should now both commit to taking part.
"It would be a travesty for the debates to be cancelled simply because one side decided to torpedo this now-crucial part of 21st century politics," she added.
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