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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Jeremy Corbyn: Labour won't back EU exit | Jeremy Corbyn: Labour won't back EU exit |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told the BBC that he will not campaign for Britain to leave the EU. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told the BBC that he will not campaign for Britain to leave the EU. |
| Mr Corbyn said that while policy was "developing" he could not foresee a situation where Labour would campaign for a "Brexit" under his leadership. | Mr Corbyn said that while policy was "developing" he could not foresee a situation where Labour would campaign for a "Brexit" under his leadership. |
| He has come under growing pressure from Labour MPs to clarify his position. | He has come under growing pressure from Labour MPs to clarify his position. |
| Mr Corbyn also said it was "very strange" his decision not to sing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain service had attracted so much interest. | Mr Corbyn also said it was "very strange" his decision not to sing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain service had attracted so much interest. |
| The Labour leader, whose decision to stay silent during the playing of the national anthem at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday has attracted widespread criticism, said he had "respected the sacrifice" of those who had fought and died. | |
| In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg, he said the final decision on policy would be his. | In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg, he said the final decision on policy would be his. |
| Asked about potential disagreements within his shadow cabinet, many of whose members did not back his leadership bid, he said there would be discussions ahead and urged colleagues to respect his mandate. | Asked about potential disagreements within his shadow cabinet, many of whose members did not back his leadership bid, he said there would be discussions ahead and urged colleagues to respect his mandate. |
| Mr Corbyn took part in his first prime minister's questions on Wednesday, using the occasion to put questions from members of the public to PM David Cameron - an approach which he said meant "people's voices would be heard". | |
| 'Social Europe' | |
| Mr Corbyn, who is regarded as the most eurosceptic Labour leader for years, has insisted that Mr Cameron should not be given a "blank cheque" in negotiations about the UK's EU membership ahead of a future in-out referendum, and any changes he secures must be the "right ones". | |
| Since being elected on Saturday, he has declined to categorically rule out campaigning for the UK to leave the EU - despite shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn saying this should be the case and shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer saying he would quit if this happened. | |
| Mr Corbyn told the BBC that policy was still "developing" but he said he envisaged making the UK's continued membership of the EU a manifesto commitment for the 2020 election. | |
| Asked whether he could ever foresee campaigning to leave the EU, he replied: "No I don't see that position." | |
| But he said he wanted the EU to change direction and move away from the increasingly market-driven model he said it had adopted in the past 20 years. | |
| "We are having discussions to sort this question out. Basically, on the question of Europe I want to see a social Europe, a cohesive Europe, a coherent Europe, not a free market Europe. | |
| "That is a developing position. It is not a problem, we have had that discussion, we are continuing that discussion, there will be very clear statements coming out in the very near future." | |
| He rejected suggestions his position had shifted, adding: "I said David Cameron should not have a blank cheque and he should not have a blank cheque." | |
| He added: "What I remain opposed to is the idea that David Cameron could go around and give up workers rights, give up environmental protection, give up a whole load of things that are very important." |