Juncker: You’ll be treated as deserters if you Brexit
THE British people will be treated as “deserters” following a vote to leave the European Union, Jean-Claude Juncker has warned.
In his most significant intervention in the referendum contest, the President of the European Commission said that the UK would face “consequences” and be treated as a “third country” following a break with the EU.
The remarks were denounced as “intimidation” by Leave campaigners.
“I’m sure the deserters will not be welcomed with open arms,” Mr Juncker, a lifelong European federalist, told
Le Monde newspaper. “If the British should say No, which I hope they don’t, then life in the EU will not go on as before,” he said.
“The United Kingdom will have to accept being regarded as a third country, which won’t be handled with kid gloves.
“If the British leave Europe, people will have to face the consequences – we will have to, just as they will. It’s not a threat but our relations will no longer be what they are today.”
He also warned that it will “not be easy” to deliver the package of reforms secured by David Cameron in his referendum. Key measures, including the suspension of in-work benefits for EU citizens, need legislation to be passed through the European Parliament.
He appeared to complain that the deal, which consumed months of work in Brussels as leaders sought to give Mr Cameron the best chance of winning the referendum, had been all but forgotten in the contest. Downing Street has made little play of the concessions. “We will have to implement the arrangement that we have with David Cameron, which nobody speaks of in the referendum campaign. It will not be easy,” he said.
Gisela Stuart, a Labour MP campaigning for Brexit, said: “Another day, another threat from those trying to intimidate the British people into voting to remain in the failing EU. These extraordinary comments are a new low.”
Yesterday one of Mr Juncker’s most senior officials risked anger by likening cigarette manufacturers to the Isil cell that murdered 32 people in the Brussels terrorist attacks.
“Two terrorist attacks in Brussels are very dangerous, but of course 700,000 premature deaths are also very dangerous,” said Vytenis Andriukaitis, the EU’s Health Commissioner.
“Tobacco is a very profitable industry that only produces something that kills people, nothing more.”
He was speaking at the introduction of a new directive that makes large health warnings with gory pictures mandatory on cigarettes across Europe.
Packets of 10 cigarettes are also outlawed.