General Election 2017: We'll kick Tories out of Government, promises Tom Watson

Labour's deputy leader has focused on the Government's 'atrocious' record in cuts to police budgets as he launched his campaign for West Bromwich East.

But he was also scathing in his criticism of Mrs May, lambasting the Prime Minister for breaking her word over calling a snap General Election and accusing her of treating public servants with 'contempt' during her time in the Home Office.

His comments came as Mrs May's bid for a General Election was backed in Parliament by 522 votes for to just 13 against.

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Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, Mr Watson said: "Theresa May has been Prime Minister for nine months and she was Home Secretary for six years. She has an appalling record in both jobs.

"As Prime Minister, she said eight times she wouldn't call an early General Election.

"By ripping up that promise on Tuesday she showed she's an opportunist who is prepared to break her word whenever it's politically expedient to do so.

"That's why we need to kick the Tories out of government and keep the Tories out of West Brom."

Mr Watson has said the upcoming election gives Labour the chance to prove it has an 'alternative vision' that will provide opportunity for everyone in Britain, rather than the privileged few.

Today he honed in on Government cuts to police funding, which has seen a huge reduction in bobbies and other police staff in the West Midlands over the past seven years.

Mr Watson said: "As Home Secretary Theresa May oversaw a massive reduction in the number of police officers.

"The number of officers in the West Midlands Police Force fell from 8,600 in 2010 to 6,800 in 2016, a huge 19.5 per cent cut.

"The West Midlands Police Federation, which represents officers, warned in 2015 – after four years of consecutive cuts – that bobbies on the beat were becoming an 'endangered species' and that the force could no longer 'paper over the cracks' caused by budget cuts implemented by Theresa May.

"I speak to local people regularly. At every single surgery I've held for the last two years people tell me of their concerns that there are fewer police officers on our streets than there used to be.

"Theresa May talks tough on security but her actions since 2010 have undermined our police service, locally and nationally, and made an exceptionally difficult job far harder to do for many officers.

"That's why Labour will be focusing on the Prime Minister's record in the Home Office as part of our national election campaign.

"It is a record of under-investment and failure that proves that this Government treats loyal public servants with contempt."

Mr Watson said that by calling the election Mrs May had given herself the chance to 'clear the decks and get rid of the promises she doesn't want to be held to account for'.