BREXIT WILL THREATEN THE UNION, SAY EX-PMs
Major and Blair unleash Project Fear on Scots with desperate warning on future of Britain
THE United Kingdom risks being torn apart by a Brexit vote, according to a catastrophic warning from Sir John Major, Tony Blair and George Osborne.
As the EU referendum campaign focused on the future of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the former Prime Ministers and the Chancellor yesterday launched a series of desperate attacks that were branded ‘irresponsible scaremongering’.
Speaking in Londonderry, Sir John insisted the ‘uncomfortable truth is that the unity of the United Kingdom itself is on the ballot paper’ when people vote in the June 23 referendum.
He warned of the ‘serious risk’ of a second referendum on independence if Scotland is dragged out of the EU against its will, and was flanked by his old rival Mr Blair who said it would be ‘foolish’ to take a risk with stability in Northern Ireland.
Visiting a farm in Selkirkshire, Chancellor Mr Osborne urged Scots voters not to give the SNP any ‘excuses’ to stage a second referendum – even though the constitution is reserved, and Prime Minister David Cameron has previously ruled out another
contest. Critics believe the stark warnings are a sign of desperation in the Remain camp, which is pinning its hopes on a strong ‘In’ vote north of the Border and the ability to scare English voters who care about the Union.
Labour MP Kate Hoey, a Leave campaigner, said: ‘The idea that Scotland will vote to leave the UK after Brexit is fantasy.’
In other developments north of the Border:
Pollster Ipsos-MORI said support for the EU in Scotland is unlikely to be made with ‘much conviction’ and voters could still change their minds.
The Leave campaign claimed that free university tuition places are under threat from a soaring number of EU applicants.
More than 90 per cent of fishermen will vote to Leave, according to a new survey, sparking a desperate push from the Remain camp to convince the industry it has a ‘profitable future’ in the EU.
Observers are now predicting a high turnout for the EU referendum, with suggestions it could come close to the 85 per cent figure from the 2014 independence contest.
Recalling the outcome of the Scottish referendum, Sir John said: ‘As a result, with one qualification, the matter is now settled for a generation and beyond. But it is a very big qualification, because if Scotland votes in the referendum to stay in EU, but the UK as a whole chooses to leave, there is a serious risk of a second referendum.
‘Not straight away perhaps but ultimately, nationalist pressure for another shot at leaving the UK in Scotland could prove to be uncontrollable and politically irresistible.
‘So, that’s the risk that a British exit from the EU could reopen the whole question and tear apart the UK – the UK outside the EU and Scotland outside the UK.’
He added: ‘The plain uncomfortable truth is that the unity of the UK itself is on the ballot paper in two weeks’ time.’
Speaking later to the BBC, Sir John added that it would be ‘politically impossible’ to refuse if Scotland demanded another referendum.
During a visit to a farm in, Selkirkshire, Mr Osborne said: ‘Let’s be clear, there are lots of things at risk in this referendum if we leave. Britain’s place in the world, and our stature as a nation is at risk.
‘It is the Scottish nationalists themselves who have said they will use a Brexit vote as an excuse to bring up the issue again of Scottish nationalism and separation, but the most recent Scottish elections [when the SNP fell short of a majority] made clear there wasn’t a mandate for that.
‘I’d say, the simplest and easiest way to take the issue off the table is to vote for Remain.’
He added: ‘There are plenty of reasons to be scared about the impact on our economy… second, when it comes to the UK – the point is being made by two former Prime Ministers in Northern Ireland.
‘We don’t want to give [the SNP] any excuses, so the simplest way to deal with all these issues... is by voting to Remain.
‘I don’t think it would be a legitimate excuse, but that’s not stopped them (the SNP) in the past.’
Tory Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, taking part in an ITV debate alongside Nicola Sturgeon last night, said: ‘There is danger to the Union as well.’
Mr Blair has previously warned that a Brexit vote could lead to a surge in support for Scottish independence.
Yesterday, he claimed that leaving the EU could also put the future of the peace process in Northern Ireland ‘at risk’.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said: ‘Whatever the result, Northern Ireland is not going back to the troubles of its past. To suggest otherwise would be highly irresponsible.’
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