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David Cameron launches Tory campaign to stay in the EU David Cameron launches Tory campaign to stay in the EU
(6 months later)
David Cameron has launched the official Conservative campaign to stay in the EU, with organisers saying he is now backed by a majority of Tory MPs.David Cameron has launched the official Conservative campaign to stay in the EU, with organisers saying he is now backed by a majority of Tory MPs.
Flanked by ministers, MPs and activists, the prime minister urged them to go out and make the case to stay in the EU “with as much force as you can, as this matters so much for the future of our country”.Flanked by ministers, MPs and activists, the prime minister urged them to go out and make the case to stay in the EU “with as much force as you can, as this matters so much for the future of our country”.
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He held the event at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, where he gave his first speech after becoming leader of the Conservative party in 2005.He held the event at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, where he gave his first speech after becoming leader of the Conservative party in 2005.
Introducing him, Nick Herbert, a former minister and key organiser of the Conservatives In campaign, said he was now confident most Tory MPs would support the remain camp.Introducing him, Nick Herbert, a former minister and key organiser of the Conservatives In campaign, said he was now confident most Tory MPs would support the remain camp.
Cameron repeated a number of arguments that there can either be a Great Britain in the EU or a “great leap in the dark” by leaving. He also made a new claim that all countries “friendly” to the UK, such as India, New Zealand, China and Australia, want it to stay in the EU.Cameron repeated a number of arguments that there can either be a Great Britain in the EU or a “great leap in the dark” by leaving. He also made a new claim that all countries “friendly” to the UK, such as India, New Zealand, China and Australia, want it to stay in the EU.
“When you think about whether we will be stronger in or stronger out, simply ask yourself this question,” he said. “Have you come across a single friendly country in the world that thinks that their friend Britain should leave the European Union?“When you think about whether we will be stronger in or stronger out, simply ask yourself this question,” he said. “Have you come across a single friendly country in the world that thinks that their friend Britain should leave the European Union?
“The Australians want us to stay in because they know Britain in Europe will help to make sure that the European Union looks out for them.“The Australians want us to stay in because they know Britain in Europe will help to make sure that the European Union looks out for them.
“That’s what the New Zealanders think, the Canadians, the Indians, the Chinese, everyone. I’m yet to meet a serious friendly country, one that wants a stronger relationship with us, that thinks we will be better outside.“That’s what the New Zealanders think, the Canadians, the Indians, the Chinese, everyone. I’m yet to meet a serious friendly country, one that wants a stronger relationship with us, that thinks we will be better outside.
“I say you should listen to your friends about what they think would be good for you and would be right for you.”“I say you should listen to your friends about what they think would be good for you and would be right for you.”
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Addressing the argument of out campaigners that the UK could simply negotiate new trade deals, he said Britain would face a two-year delay after a vote to leave before it could even begin to discuss new pacts with the rest of the world.Addressing the argument of out campaigners that the UK could simply negotiate new trade deals, he said Britain would face a two-year delay after a vote to leave before it could even begin to discuss new pacts with the rest of the world.
Cameron went on to claim that the motor industry could have to pay a tariff on every car it sold to Europe, while other manufacturers and service businesses would face uncertainty about access to markets.Cameron went on to claim that the motor industry could have to pay a tariff on every car it sold to Europe, while other manufacturers and service businesses would face uncertainty about access to markets.
“Businesses hate uncertainty and that’s what we would give them,” he said. “I have no doubt in my mind we are better off in a reformed EU and we have got to make that argument right across the country.”“Businesses hate uncertainty and that’s what we would give them,” he said. “I have no doubt in my mind we are better off in a reformed EU and we have got to make that argument right across the country.”
Cameron was supported at the event by Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, Liz Truss, the environment secretary, Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary, and Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, but other senior figures were absent including the chancellor and Sajid Javid, the Eurosceptic business secretary.Cameron was supported at the event by Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, Liz Truss, the environment secretary, Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary, and Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, but other senior figures were absent including the chancellor and Sajid Javid, the Eurosceptic business secretary.
The Conservative party itself is remaining neutral during the EU referendum campaign, with large numbers of MPs and activists planning to campaign for exit.The Conservative party itself is remaining neutral during the EU referendum campaign, with large numbers of MPs and activists planning to campaign for exit.
Boris Johnson, the London mayor, and Michael Gove, the justice secretary, are the two most-prominent Tory campaigners for the UK to leave the EU.Boris Johnson, the London mayor, and Michael Gove, the justice secretary, are the two most-prominent Tory campaigners for the UK to leave the EU.
There was speculation that most of the 330 Tory MPs could end up backing the leave campaign, but the remain camp is now confident it is supported by at least 165 of them.There was speculation that most of the 330 Tory MPs could end up backing the leave campaign, but the remain camp is now confident it is supported by at least 165 of them.