Douglas Carswell

Wrong then, wrong now

The launch of the Remain campaign this morning was a comeback reunion for the discredited Euro-lobbyists of the past. The same people who told us we had to join the Euro – Peter Mandelson, Ken Clarke, Roland Rudd, Martin Sorrell – are now telling us we have to stay in the EU. Yet it isn't just the same people on show, but the same failed arguments.

The campaign launch this morning confirmed that the Remain will be based on the same bankrupt ideas that the Europhiles used to advocate the UK entering the disastrous single currency.

Stuart Rose warns that leaving the EU would "risk our prosperity, threaten our security, and undermine our standing in the world."

"Britain on its own would resume the decline which continued through most of the 20th century," writes Ken Clarke.

Leaving Europe would make us "notionally independent" but "less influential" says Peter Mandelson.

"Britain would lose its influence within Europe if it left," protests Martin Sorrell.

"Brexit is economic madness," according to Roland Rudd.

Sound familiar?

Fifteen years ago, they said the same thing about being about the Euro.

"Until we come off the fence over joining the Euro, we will slip backwards in Europe," Peter Mandelson told us then.

"Business leaders appreciate the success of the Euro," agreed Roland Rudd.

"Public opinion is already changing as people can see the success of the single currency," claimed Ken Clarke.

"If the Government rules out membership of the Euro, it will be damaging for British-based business," warned Martin Sorrell.

Fifteen years after they told us we couldn't survive outside the Euro, the same corporatist cronies are back telling us we can't survive outside the EU. The battle lines for the referendum have been drawn: ex-ministers and corporate lobbyists vs. entrepreneurs and the people.

The polls show how closely fought this campaign will be. But wouldn't it be wonderful to defeat the Europhiles again, and be freed from the patronising propaganda of this self-serving elite?

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