Jeremy Corbyn makes first intervention in EU referendum campaign

Video report by ITV News' Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks

Jeremy Corbyn urged supporters to back the European Union "warts and all" as he made his first major intervention in the referendum campaign.

In what many have decribed as a U-turn, the Labour leader - a long-time critic of the EU - used a speech in London to insist that his party is "overwhelmingly" in favour of Britain staying in the union.

He said the referendum was a "crucial democratic opportunity" for people to have their say on the country's future, as well as the future of the European continent.

  • What did he say?

Mr Corbyn said he was announcing his support for a "Remain - and Reform" campaign.

He said membership of the EU has brought investment, jobs and protection for workers, consumers and the environment - and said an "in" vote would be in the best interests of the people of this country.

Mr Corbyn, while acknowledging his concerns over what he called the EU's "shortcomings", said there was a "strong socialist case" for staying in the union.

He said staying part of the union would be vital to tackle the "huge challenges" of the coming century - including climate change, as well as the "overweaning power of global corporations" and ensure they pay fair taxes, cyber crime, fair trading and pay protection, and addressing the causes of the refugee crisis.

"Collective international action through the European Union is clearly going to help in meeting these vital challenges," he said.

"Britain will be stronger if we cooperate with our neighbours in facing those challenges together."

He also used his speech to criticise the Tories' alleged inaction to save the British steel industry, as well as the planned Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between Europe and the US.

  • Is Corbyn late to intervene?

The Labour leader pictured at an event in April. Credit: PA Wire

Some of his own Labour MPs think so.

Corbyn - who during the leadership contest did not rule out backing Brexit - has been accused of giving only lukewarm support to the "remain" cause.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell - one of Corbyn's closest allies - told ITV News earlier this week that the party had to do more to make the case for staying in the EU.

Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister and Liberal Democrat leader, said Labour needed to send a “clarion call” signal to all Labour voters that the party was "unambiguously pro European".

He told the Guardian that the referendum was in danger of being lost as it was being reduced to a "Tory drama".

  • Why has he changed his stance?

As an MP, Corbyn voted for Britain to leave Europe during a referendum held in 1975, it emerged last year.

Since then, Eurosceptic Labour members have furiously reported numerous occasions when he apparently voted against further integration into Europe, or further shared interests.

But in his speech today, he said he now believed membership was the only way to enact change.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain today, pro-EU Labour MP Alan Johnson also defended Corbyn, saying the leader had been "on a journey" since then and his belief that the UK should remain part of the EU was "genuine" - though, he added, Corbyn does believe Europe isn't a "perfect institution" and has "concerns".

  • When is the referendum?

Britain's future in the EU will be decided on June 23. Credit: PA Wire

Voters will decide whether they want Britain to remain inside the European Union in an historic in-out referendum on June 23.

On Wednesday, Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe were designated as the official Leave and Remain campaigns.