Corbyn launches last-ditch bid to win over Labour supporters on EU referendum with attack on Brexiteers
Labour leader accuses Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage of being “wolves in sheep’s clothing” over their NHS claims
JEREMY Corbyn launched a desperate bid to try and persuade Labour supporters to vote Remain by saying Brexit could lead to people having to pay to use the NHS.
The Labour leader, who said in a television interview last weekend that his passion for staying in the EU is about “seven or 7.5” out of 10, put his best pro-EU face on for a photocall today.
With the Leave campaign surging ahead in the polls, Mr Corbyn joined members of his shadow cabinet and trade union leaders in an attempt to win over the party's wavering voters.
Mr Corbyn, whose efforts so far in the campaign have been criticised as lukewarm, said Labour would be making "the strongest case we can" for a Remain win on June 23.
He accused Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage of being “wolves in sheep’s clothing” for saying there would be more money available for the NHS if Britain votes to leave the EU.
“A vote to leave is a vote to put the NHS in jeopardy and in the hands of those who want to break it up.
“Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson are wolves in sheep’s clothing, using concern about the NHS to mask their real agenda,” he said.
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TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady and Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis joined Jeremy Corbyn at the TUCs NHS safer in the EU rally
And he attacked the millionaire funder of Vote Leave Arron Banks, saying Mr Banks said “If it were up to me, I’d privatise the NHS.”
Mr Banks has hit back with a stinging response: “Fat cat my arse. I started my business with nothing but a desk and two phones, and I’ve never worn a fur coat or owned a Bentley.
“I once said that I thought wealthier people should pay top-up insurance to help the NHS – the sort of policy which should be music to Jeremy’s ears.
“You have to feel sorry for old Jez, really. Voted to leave in ‘75, voted against Maastricht, voted against Lisbon – but now the Blairites have got him supping cream from the same EU bowl as Cameron, Osborne and the crooked mega-banks who are the real fat cats in this referendum, drooling at the prospect of being able to buy up huge chunks of the health service after Brussels finalises its dodgy TTIP deal with the US."
And Ukip’s MP Douglas Carswell criticised the Labour’s leader’s efforts, tweeting: “Jeremy Corbyn isn’t really Remain: He joined us in the division lobby to vote against ‘EU economic guidance’.
“Just been looking at how often Jeremy Corbyn and I voted together on EU votes in the Commons. Often. He’s not for Remain,” Mr Carswell added.
The rally at the TUC’s headquarters in London came as the Remain camp sought to fightback after a slew of opinion polls suggesting a growing lead for Brexit in the referendum battle, along with The Sun's endorsement for a Leave vote.