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Jeremy Corbyn makes Labour case for staying in EU Jeremy Corbyn makes Labour case for staying in EU
(about 1 hour later)
Jeremy Corbyn is setting out the "socialist case" for remaining in the EU in his first major intervention in the referendum campaign. Jeremy Corbyn has set out the "socialist case" for remaining in the EU in his first major intervention in the referendum campaign.
The Labour leader said the party "overwhelmingly" backs EU membership despite its "shortcomings".The Labour leader said the party "overwhelmingly" backs EU membership despite its "shortcomings".
And he argued that Britain must remain in, to fight for reform.And he argued that Britain must remain in, to fight for reform.
He cited protection of workers' rights, environmental standards and consumer safeguards as reasons to vote to Remain on 23 June.He cited protection of workers' rights, environmental standards and consumer safeguards as reasons to vote to Remain on 23 June.
In a speech in central London, Mr Corbyn said: "Over the years I have been critical of many decisions taken by the EU, and I remain critical of its shortcomings; from its lack of democratic accountability to the institutional pressure to deregulate or privatise public services.In a speech in central London, Mr Corbyn said: "Over the years I have been critical of many decisions taken by the EU, and I remain critical of its shortcomings; from its lack of democratic accountability to the institutional pressure to deregulate or privatise public services.
"So Europe needs to change. But that change can only come from working with our allies in the EU. It's perfectly possible to be critical and still be convinced we need to remain a member.""So Europe needs to change. But that change can only come from working with our allies in the EU. It's perfectly possible to be critical and still be convinced we need to remain a member."
EU referendum: In depthEU referendum: In depth
In quotes: Jeremy Corbyn on the EU and referendumIn quotes: Jeremy Corbyn on the EU and referendum
EU for beginners: A guideEU for beginners: A guide
UK and the EU: Better off out or in?UK and the EU: Better off out or in?
Who's who: The Vote Leave teamWho's who: The Vote Leave team
Who's who: The Remain campaignWho's who: The Remain campaign
He said it was in the "best interests" of the British people to remain in the EU, which he said had created investment and jobs, guaranteed workers' rights, including maternity and paternity leave and paid holiday, and brought benefits for consumers and the environment. He added: "There is a strong socialist case for staying in the European Union, just as there is also a powerful socialist case for reform and progressive change in Europe."
He said a Labour government would have done more at an EU level to save the British steel industry by backing European Commission proposals to impose import tariffs on Chinese steel imports. Asked why he had been converted to the EU cause, after speaking against it so many times in the past and voting to come out in the 1975 referendum, he said the Labour Party and trade unions had "overwhelmingly" decided to back EU membership "and that's the party I lead and that's the position I am putting forward".
"Those proposals are still on the table. So today I ask David Cameron and George Osborne to start sticking up for British steel and work with our willing European partners to secure its future. But he said there was "nothing half-hearted" about Labour's campaign and said he would continue to make the case for membership in the run up to polling day.
"There are certainly problems about EU state aid rules, which need reform. But if as the Leave side argues, it is the EU that is the main problem, how is that Germany, Italy, France and Spain have all done so much better at protecting their steel industries?" On immigration, he said he did not think "too many people" had come to the UK from the rest of the EU and the real problem was "unscrupulous" employers "undercutting" wages.
Ahead of the EU referendum campaign's official beginning on Friday, Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe have been designated as the official Leave and Remain campaigns by the Electoral Commission. He also praised EU regulations on holiday entitlement, maternity leave and other workers' rights and said a Labour government would have done more at an EU level to save the British steel industry by backing European Commission proposals to impose import tariffs on Chinese steel imports.
Meanwhile, Leave.EU - a supporter of pro-exit group Grassroots Out which lost out to Vote Leave - will announce by noon on Thursday whether it intends to launch a judicial review of the Commission's decision. And he backed EU action on tax avoidance, accusing the Leave campaign of wanting to make Britain "the safe haven of choice for the ill-gotten gains of every dodgy oligarch, dictator or rogue corporation".
Analysis, BBC political correspondent Ben WrightAnalysis, BBC political correspondent Ben Wright
The Remain campaign believes mobilising Labour voters behind their cause will be crucial.The Remain campaign believes mobilising Labour voters behind their cause will be crucial.
Earlier this week the shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC he and Jeremy Corbyn had to do more.Earlier this week the shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC he and Jeremy Corbyn had to do more.
But many Labour MPs worry their leader's enthusiasm for the European Union is tepid, at best.But many Labour MPs worry their leader's enthusiasm for the European Union is tepid, at best.
During the leadership campaign he admitted to "mixed feelings" about the EU and voted against the Lisbon Treaty in 2008.During the leadership campaign he admitted to "mixed feelings" about the EU and voted against the Lisbon Treaty in 2008.
In a major speech Mr Corbyn will say the Labour party is "overwhelmingly" in favour of staying in, But he is also expected to say he remains critical of its "shortcomings". In his speech Mr Corbyn said the Labour Party was "overwhelmingly" in favour of staying in but he also remained critical of some of its "shortcomings".
In his speech, Mr Corbyn will also argue the EU offers the "best chance" of meeting the challenges of the 21st Century, such as on climate change, terrorism, the refugee crisis and corporate tax dodging. Mr Corbyn told the audience of Labour supporters: "You cannot build a better world unless you engage with the world, build allies and deliver change. The EU, warts and all, has proved itself to be a crucial international framework to do that.
"Collective international action through the EU is clearly going to be vital to meeting these challenges. Britain will be stronger if we co-operate with our neighbours in facing them together," he is expected to add. "That is why I will be am backing Britain to remain in Europe and I hope you will too."
'Remain and reform' The Labour leader was heckled by a Conservative voter during his speech. Stephen Wolstenholme, who was filming the event for his YouTube channel, interrupted Mr Corbyn to claim environmental regulations could be improved on a UK level.
But Mr Corbyn - who did not rule out backing an EU exit when he was standing for the Labour leadership and who voted to leave the European Economic Community in the 1975 referendum - said the EU was not perfect, and needs reform. 'Disappointed'
"Over the years I have continued to be critical of many decisions taken by the EU and I remain critical of its shortcomings - from its lack of democratic accountability to the institutional pressure to deregulate or privatise public services. After the speech, Mr Wolstenholme said he was a supporter of the Labour Out campaign and wanted to see Mr Corbyn give a "Tony Benn-style left wing case for coming out".
"So Europe needs to change. But that change can only come from working with our allies in the EU. It's perfectly possible to be critical and still be convinced we need to remain a member," he said. The Labour leader has also been criticised by Labour supporters of the Leave campaign.
The Labour leader set out his vision for "a real social Europe", with more accountability, a strengthening of workers' rights and powers for governments to "support public enterprise and halt the pressure to privatise public services". Labour donor John Mills, deputy chairman of Vote Leave's board, told BBC Breakfast: "I am a bit disappointed that Jeremy Corbyn is coming out so strongly in favour of staying in, partly because I don't think that's really where quite a large proportion of Labour support is."
He added: "There is a strong socialist case for staying in the European Union, just as there is also a powerful socialist case for reform and progressive change in Europe." MP Gisela Stuart, who co-chairs Vote Leave - which also includes London mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove - has said workers' rights have been "hard won" in the UK, not Europe.
'Warts and all'
Mr Corbyn also used his speech to warn against the temptation to "blame the EU, or worse to blame foreigners" for the UK's "problems" - and said it was the government that was "failing" the country.
He said that, unlike the Conservatives, a future Labour government would work with EU allies to "stand up for" British steel, protect human rights, and tackle climate change and tax avoidance.
"You cannot build a better world unless you engage with the world, build allies and deliver change. The EU, warts and all, has proved itself to be a crucial international framework to do that," he added.
The majority of Labour's MPs support continued EU membership, with former home secretary Alan Johnson heading up its Labour In campaign.
He told BBC's Breakfast the EU was "not a perfect institution" but it was "best to stay in and reform it, given its crucial importance for security, prosperity and Britain's place in the world".
Asked why the Labour leader's speech was coming so late in the campaign, Mr Johnson said it was part of the media strategy and was not the first time Mr Corbyn had said he was committed to the campaign to stay in the EU.
Mr Johnson also denied being complacent about the referendum, saying it was the "most important political decision of my lifetime".
There are some in the Labour Party who back the rival leave campaign.
MP Gisela Stuart, who chairs the cross-party Vote Leave group - which also includes London mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove - has said workers' rights have been "hard won" in the UK, not Europe.
She has also warned that the eurozone economies are a "ticking time bomb" that will harm the UK if it stays in the EU.She has also warned that the eurozone economies are a "ticking time bomb" that will harm the UK if it stays in the EU.
"If we want to take back control of our economy, our democracy and the £350m we hand to Brussels each week the only safe option is to Vote Leave," she said. "If we want to take back control of our economy, our democracy and the £350m we hand to Brussels each week the only safe option is to Vote Leave," she said
Ahead of the EU referendum campaign's official beginning on Friday, Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe have been designated as the official Leave and Remain campaigns by the Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, Leave.EU - a supporter of pro-exit group Grassroots Out which lost out to Vote Leave - will announce by noon on Thursday whether it intends to launch a judicial review of the Commission's decision.