Petrol bills ‘to soar if we quit’

THE AA has been branded a ‘ doom merchant’ for claiming petrol prices would soar by £500 a year per family if Britain leaves the EU.

The motoring group joined the debate by saying costs at the pumps could rise by 18.7p a litre ‘within days’ of a Brexit vote.

AA president Edmund King said: ‘We don’t take a view as to whether the UK should leave the EU as that is up to the people to decide. However, it seems that financial reports suggest leaving the European community could lead to a sharp fall in the value of the pound which in turn could hit pump prices within days.’

But Simon Williams, of the RAC, said motorists are paying less than £1 at the cheapest retailers, and prices could remain low. He added: ‘The impact on fuel prices of Britain exiting is not likely to be as dramatic as motorists might be led to think.’

THE latest recruit to the pro-EU ‘Project Fear’ is the AA, which warns that petrol prices could rise by £500 a year if we vote for Brexit. Really? In a world that is now awash with cheap fuel? Compare this doom-laden prophecy with the opinion of Neil Woodford, an investment guru with a knack for bucking the markets. He suspects that leaving the EU would have little effect on our economy. Suggesting otherwise is a ‘bogus argument’.

In recent years the AA – like other organisations, especially charities – has taken to issuing portentous statements as if it were a government body.

In fact, its main responsibility is to look after vehicles. When our cars break down, we do not bother Mr Woodford. Likewise, when contemplating Brexit, there is no need to consult the AA.