May’s exit strategy is ‘literally not going to happen’, Blair warns
Tony Blair has urged European Union leaders to work to stop Brexit – warning them that the UK could act as a focus for further disunity in the bloc if it leaves.
The former prime minis- ter said Brexit would damage the economies of both the UK and EU and weaken the bloc’s “standing and power” on the world stage.
He called for reform – particularly to deal with concerns on immigration – as a way of persuading British voters to reverse Brexit.
In a speech in Brussels, Mr Blair said the economic cost of Brexit to the rest of the EU would be “significant and painful”.
And he warned: “Britain out of Europe will ultimately be a focal point of disunity, when the requirement for unity is so manifest.
“No matter how we try, it will create a competitive pole to that of Europe, economically and politically to the detriment of both of us.”
Ahead of the speech, he said Theresa May faced a fundamental dilemma which there is “no way round” – the UK can either leave the single market and customs union and accept the economic hit and a hard border in Northern Ireland, or stay in and keep easy trade with the EU.
Mr Blair said the Prime Minister’s Brexit plan for is “literally not going to happen” no matter how tough she is in negotiations with the EU.