Jeremy Corbyn confirms he will take a ‘neutral stance’ in second referendum
Jeremy Corbyn. Photograph: Jeff Overs/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
Jeremy Corbyn has used a BBC leaders' debate to confirm he would adopt a 'neutral stance' if he were prime minister during a second referendum.
An audience member asked: "Will you campaign to remain or leave the EU if elected. Why would anyone vote Labour without knowing the answer to that question?"
Corbyn replied: "One, we will negotiate a credible Leave deal with the European Union," at which point the audience started laughing.
He continued: "I'm trying to answer the gentleman's question. Secondly, we will put that alongside Remain in a referendum.
"My role and the role of our government will be to ensure that that referendum is held in a fair atmosphere and we will abide by the result of it.
You may also want to watch:
"And I will adopt, as prime minister, if I am at the time, a neutral stance so that I can credibly carry out the results of that to bring communities and country together rather than continuing an endless debate about the EU and Brexit."
Presenter Fiona Bruce pressed Corbyn on whether he would not pick a side during another referendum, as she brought his half-hour to a close.
Most Read
- 1 Leave EU website suspended after EU registry blocks move to Ireland
- 2 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 3 Comedian wins praise after shaming No 10 during Dancing on Ice appearance
- 4 Television drama to focus on Boris Johnson's first year in Downing Street
- 5 Boris Johnson claims Labour supporters using Universal Credit vote to incite hatred
- 6 The bigot we should have called out on day one
- 7 The polling that signals the plight of the Union
- 8 Progressive alliance could see Labour win 351 seats at next election, new analysis reveals
- 9 Boris Johnson blames seafood companies for post-Brexit sales slump
- 10 Dominic Raab 'not convinced' collapse of fishing businesses would be result of Brexit deal
"Yes," he replied. "First heard here on Question Time."
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
