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Jeremy Corbyn rules out sharing stage with David Cameron on EU - but admits it would make 'good TV'

Mr Corbyn said voters can listen to himself and the Prime Minister before making their choice on the EU

Richard Wheeler
Sunday 15 May 2016 12:17 BST
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The pair are more used to speaking on opposite sides of the dispatch box
The pair are more used to speaking on opposite sides of the dispatch box (PA)

Jeremy Corbyn believes it would make "good television" if he and David Cameron shared a stage during the EU referendum - although reiterated it will not happen.

The Labour leader also insisted towns which have seen big changes following migration from Europe have "very good levels" of community understanding and integration, noting free movement is "generally a good thing".

But Mr Corbyn rejected a suggestion from his brother Piers that he could vote Leave in June.

Appearing on ITV's Peston on Sunday, Mr Corbyn said voters can listen to himself and the Prime Minister before making their choice on the EU.

Asked if there would be any point in the pair sharing a stage during the campaign, Mr Corbyn said: "I don't think it would work. Do you think it'd work? It'd be good television but it's not going to happen, OK?"

Earlier, the Opposition leader said resources are needed when dealing with migration from EU countries while there is also a need to recognise two million British people live within the EU.

He said: "There is a free movement of people around Europe. I think that is generally a good thing.

"But, this is a very important caveat, we have to ensure the posting of workers directive is agreed, which will prevent this gross exploitation of often low-paid workers from eastern Europe being brought wholesale into, say, construction work in Britain or in other places where they're designed to destroy industry-wide agreements or undercut local wage levels.

"There has to be an end to that cynical exploitation of free market labour rules."

Addressing social cohesion, Mr Corbyn added: "You have to ensure that communities are brought together, that people do understand the changes that are happening and actually see some plus and some benefit within it.

"You look at various towns where there's been a big change, quite often the economy has begun to grow after that level of migration, there's been actually very good levels of community understanding and integration."

Asked about claims his brother believes there is a chance he could vote Leave, Mr Corbyn replied: "He's a weather forecaster not a psychologist."

Pressed if he was definitely not voting Leave, Mr Corbyn replied: "No, I've made my position very clear of why I think the Labour Party has made the decision it has, and the trade unions of this country have made the decision they have about a Remain vote and that's what I'm putting forward.

"If Piers knows different then I'll give him a call later and have a word with him, OK?"

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