Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

I won't share a stage with David Cameron in the EU referendum campaign, says Jeremy Corbyn

The frontrunner to win the Labour leadership has said he would not share a stage with David Cameron during the EU referendum campaign.

Jon Stone
Monday 17 August 2015 10:49 EDT
Comments
Jeremy Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The frontrunner to win the Labour leadership has said he would not share a stage with David Cameron during the EU referendum campaign.

Jeremy Corbyn, who polls show with a large lead over his rivals, has said he is not content with the current state of the EU but would not campaign to leave.

But asked by the Press Association news agency whether he would share a platform with David Cameron as part of the campaign to stay in, Mr Corbyn simply replied: “No.”

At the start of his campaign Mr Corbyn was coy on whether he would support EU membership as leader, but he has now said he would work with allies across the continent to “create a better Europe”.

His refusal to work with the prime minister comes after a report in the Sunday Times newspaper that Mr Cameron would orchestrate a “choreographed” row with the French government over the EU.

The UK will have a referendum on the European Union by 2017 but the Prime Minister has previously hinted that it could be held earlier.

Some figures on the political left have urged Labour to consider supporting withdrawal from the European Union.

Labour’s decision to present a united front with the Conservatives during the Scottish independence referendum campaign has been blamed by some observers for the party’s complete collapse in Scotland.

The party’s experience north of the border could be informing Mr Corbyn’s thinking with regards to the upcoming plebiscite.

Voting in the Labour leadership election began this week. The results will be announced at a special party conference in September.

The other candidates are Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall, and Andy Burnham.

In separate question and answer sessions the other candidates gave negative but slightly less emphatic responses. Ms Cooper said it was not right to do "deals and pacts", Ms Kendall said she had "no desire" to share a stage with Mr Cameron, and Mr Burnham said he "wouldn't be planning to".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in