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| Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Leader, Urges Britons to Vote to Stay in E.U. | Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Leader, Urges Britons to Vote to Stay in E.U. |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| LONDON — Until now, Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party and a longtime critic of the European Union, has said relatively little about the coming referendum on the country’s membership in the 28-nation bloc. | LONDON — Until now, Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party and a longtime critic of the European Union, has said relatively little about the coming referendum on the country’s membership in the 28-nation bloc. |
| But on Thursday, he urged Britons to vote to stay in the union, “warts and all,” describing it as a crucial tool against climate change and tax evasion, and saying there was a “strong socialist case” for remaining. | But on Thursday, he urged Britons to vote to stay in the union, “warts and all,” describing it as a crucial tool against climate change and tax evasion, and saying there was a “strong socialist case” for remaining. |
| The intervention is significant because Mr. Corbyn, a left-winger, has won the support of many younger people, including students, who tend to vote in fewer numbers than older citizens. | The intervention is significant because Mr. Corbyn, a left-winger, has won the support of many younger people, including students, who tend to vote in fewer numbers than older citizens. |
| The ability of those in the pro-European Union camp to rally their sympathizers could prove decisive in the referendum, which is scheduled for June 23. | The ability of those in the pro-European Union camp to rally their sympathizers could prove decisive in the referendum, which is scheduled for June 23. |
| “Many people are still weighing up how they will vote in this referendum,” Mr. Corbyn said in a speech delivered in central London on Thursday. | “Many people are still weighing up how they will vote in this referendum,” Mr. Corbyn said in a speech delivered in central London on Thursday. |
| “I appeal to everyone, especially young people who will live longest with the consequences, to make sure you are registered to vote,” he added. “And to vote in June. This is about your future.” | “I appeal to everyone, especially young people who will live longest with the consequences, to make sure you are registered to vote,” he added. “And to vote in June. This is about your future.” |
| Mr. Corbyn’s speech is welcome news for supporters of the “remain” campaign after a torrid period for the main advocate of their cause, Prime Minister David Cameron. His authority has been dented by the recent Panama Papers scandal, which led to his admission that he had profited from an offshore investment fund run by his father. | Mr. Corbyn’s speech is welcome news for supporters of the “remain” campaign after a torrid period for the main advocate of their cause, Prime Minister David Cameron. His authority has been dented by the recent Panama Papers scandal, which led to his admission that he had profited from an offshore investment fund run by his father. |
| Though the Labour Party is overwhelmingly in favor of remaining in the European Union — unlike Mr. Cameron’s Conservatives, who are deeply divided on the topic — there had been doubt about whether Mr. Corbyn would be active in the referendum campaign, or choose to stand aloof. | Though the Labour Party is overwhelmingly in favor of remaining in the European Union — unlike Mr. Cameron’s Conservatives, who are deeply divided on the topic — there had been doubt about whether Mr. Corbyn would be active in the referendum campaign, or choose to stand aloof. |
| Mr. Corbyn had, however, been under internal pressure from Labour lawmakers — most of whom did not support his election as leader, but who had to accept him because of his overwhelming mandate among rank-and-file party members and supporters. | Mr. Corbyn had, however, been under internal pressure from Labour lawmakers — most of whom did not support his election as leader, but who had to accept him because of his overwhelming mandate among rank-and-file party members and supporters. |
| Mr. Corbyn voted against British membership to the European Union’s forerunner, the European Economic Community, in a referendum in 1975. | Mr. Corbyn voted against British membership to the European Union’s forerunner, the European Economic Community, in a referendum in 1975. |
| During more than three decades in Parliament, he has also sided with critics of the European Union in many votes, a fact he referred to in the speech. | During more than three decades in Parliament, he has also sided with critics of the European Union in many votes, a fact he referred to in the speech. |
| “Over the years, I have continued to be critical of many decisions taken by the E.U., and I remain critical of its shortcomings, from its lack of democratic accountability to the institutional pressure to deregulate or privatize public services,” he said. | “Over the years, I have continued to be critical of many decisions taken by the E.U., and I remain critical of its shortcomings, from its lack of democratic accountability to the institutional pressure to deregulate or privatize public services,” he said. |
| Nevertheless, Mr. Corbyn argued that it was “perfectly possible to be critical and still be convinced we need to remain a member,” adding that “the European Union has brought investment, jobs and protection for workers, consumers and the environment, and offers the best chance of meeting the challenges we face in the 21st century.” | Nevertheless, Mr. Corbyn argued that it was “perfectly possible to be critical and still be convinced we need to remain a member,” adding that “the European Union has brought investment, jobs and protection for workers, consumers and the environment, and offers the best chance of meeting the challenges we face in the 21st century.” |
| He continued, “There is a strong socialist case for staying in the European Union, just as there are is also a powerful socialist case for reform and progressive change in Europe.” | He continued, “There is a strong socialist case for staying in the European Union, just as there are is also a powerful socialist case for reform and progressive change in Europe.” |
| He also presented the European Union as a vital mechanism for cooperation in the international battle to “protect social and human rights, tackle climate change and clamp down on tax dodgers.” | He also presented the European Union as a vital mechanism for cooperation in the international battle to “protect social and human rights, tackle climate change and clamp down on tax dodgers.” |
| “You cannot build a better world unless you engage with the world, build allies and deliver change,” he said. “The E.U., warts and all, has proved itself to be a crucial international framework to do that.” | “You cannot build a better world unless you engage with the world, build allies and deliver change,” he said. “The E.U., warts and all, has proved itself to be a crucial international framework to do that.” |
| However, John Mills, a prominent Labour supporter of British withdrawal, known as “Brexit,” suggested that Mr. Corbyn had been influenced by the views of the lawmakers with whom he has clashed on many issues. | |
| Mr. Mills told the BBC that there were only so many fronts on which Mr. Corbyn could fight with fellow Labour lawmakers. | Mr. Mills told the BBC that there were only so many fronts on which Mr. Corbyn could fight with fellow Labour lawmakers. |