EU must change ‘dramatically’ if UK stays, Jeremy Corbyn warns

The EU must change "dramatically" if the UK remains a member after Thursday's referendum, British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has insisted.

Mr Corbyn said staying part of the 28-member bloc has “implications”, as he faced an audience of young voters on Sky News.

Mr Corbyn, a long-time critic of the EU who voted against membership of the European Economic Community in 1975, has faced accusations that his campaigning for the Remain camp has been lukewarm.

He said: "It's a big decision. If we stay in Europe there are implications, if we leave Europe there are massive implications.

“But, it is also a turning point because if we leave I don’t think there is an easy way back.

“If we remain, I believe Europe has got to change quite dramatically to something much more democratic, much more accountable and share our wealth and improve our living standards and our working conditions all across the whole continent.”

Blame

Mr Corbyn conceded voters "may well" back Brexit, but insisted he would not take the blame if the UK severs its ties with Brussels.

“I’m not going to take blame for people’s decisions.”

The Labour leader said: “I’m not a lover of the EU. I think it’s a rational decision. We should stay in order to try and improve but does that change my views on points I’ve raised on public ownership of railways and things like that? Absolutely not.”

When told he did not sound “too keen” on the EU, he replied: “Whatever the result we have got to work with it.”

Mr Corbyn arrived at the west London studios after attending a service in Westminster in honour of Jo Cox, who was killed in her West Yorkshire constituency last week.

PA