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Gordon Brown: EU exit would be 'North Korea option' Gordon Brown: EU exit would be 'North Korea option'
(35 minutes later)
Leaving the European Union would make Britain the North Korea of Europe with "few friends [and] no influence", Gordon Brown has warned.Leaving the European Union would make Britain the North Korea of Europe with "few friends [and] no influence", Gordon Brown has warned.
The former prime minister said the UK would be "out in the cold" if it withdrew from the 28-member bloc.The former prime minister said the UK would be "out in the cold" if it withdrew from the 28-member bloc.
David Cameron has promised an in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the EU if the Conservatives win in May.David Cameron has promised an in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the EU if the Conservatives win in May.
But in an article for the Guardian, Mr Brown said the government's stance had marginalised Britain in the EU.But in an article for the Guardian, Mr Brown said the government's stance had marginalised Britain in the EU.
The article came ahead of an adjournment debate on the subject called by Mr Brown - which could be his last speech in the Commons before he steps down in May.The article came ahead of an adjournment debate on the subject called by Mr Brown - which could be his last speech in the Commons before he steps down in May.
Being "half-in half-out, a Britain that is semi-detached and disengaged... has made us weaker than ever" in the EU, on international issues such as the Greek crisis, climate change and Ukraine, he said.Being "half-in half-out, a Britain that is semi-detached and disengaged... has made us weaker than ever" in the EU, on international issues such as the Greek crisis, climate change and Ukraine, he said.
Under Mr Cameron's plans, the referendum on the EU would take place in 2017 after a period of renegotiation of the UK's terms of membership.Under Mr Cameron's plans, the referendum on the EU would take place in 2017 after a period of renegotiation of the UK's terms of membership.
Labour has said it would not offer such a referendum unless there was a significant shift of power away from London to Brussels.Labour has said it would not offer such a referendum unless there was a significant shift of power away from London to Brussels.
'True patriotic course''True patriotic course'
Mr Brown said: "We must tell the truth about the three million jobs, 25,000 companies, £200bn of annual exports and the £450bn of inward investment linked to Europe; and how the 'Britzerland' or Norwegian alternatives (even Norwegians oppose the Norwegian option) leave us subject to EU rules, but denied a vote in shaping them.Mr Brown said: "We must tell the truth about the three million jobs, 25,000 companies, £200bn of annual exports and the £450bn of inward investment linked to Europe; and how the 'Britzerland' or Norwegian alternatives (even Norwegians oppose the Norwegian option) leave us subject to EU rules, but denied a vote in shaping them.
"And we must talk about how the Hong Kong option - 'leaving Europe to join the world' - is really the North Korea option, out in the cold with few friends, no influence, little new trade and even less new investment.""And we must talk about how the Hong Kong option - 'leaving Europe to join the world' - is really the North Korea option, out in the cold with few friends, no influence, little new trade and even less new investment."
He said the UK was on course to overtake Germany as Europe's biggest economy in a decade, and it would not make sense to withdraw from the bloc now.He said the UK was on course to overtake Germany as Europe's biggest economy in a decade, and it would not make sense to withdraw from the bloc now.
"It would be a terrible irony if Britain opts out, leaving Europe divided, Russia empowered, the US bypassing us for a Franco-German axis - and Scotland threatening to abandon a non-European UK.""It would be a terrible irony if Britain opts out, leaving Europe divided, Russia empowered, the US bypassing us for a Franco-German axis - and Scotland threatening to abandon a non-European UK."
The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP argued that Britain's future lay within the European Union, saying it was the country's "true patriotic course" to lead it.The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP argued that Britain's future lay within the European Union, saying it was the country's "true patriotic course" to lead it.
"Our destiny is not a bit player on someone else's stage, or a spectator hectoring from the wings, but always setting the agenda, bringing people together, and championing change," he said."Our destiny is not a bit player on someone else's stage, or a spectator hectoring from the wings, but always setting the agenda, bringing people together, and championing change," he said.
Hyperbole?
Mr Brown's remarks have been met with criticism by some commentators, in particular his comparison between the UK and North Korea.
John Rentoul, Independent on Sunday columnist, said Mr Brown had weakened his argument with "exaggeration".
But the New Statesman's political editor, George Eaton, said that beyond the hyperbolic North Korea comparison "there is much wisdom" in the former PM's argument.
Mr Cameron wants to renegotiate Britain's membership of the EU if he remains prime minister after May, to win back powers in areas such as welfare and immigration - and put it to a public vote.Mr Cameron wants to renegotiate Britain's membership of the EU if he remains prime minister after May, to win back powers in areas such as welfare and immigration - and put it to a public vote.
Labour has said the prospect of an EU exit is creating uncertainty and risk for British businesses.Labour has said the prospect of an EU exit is creating uncertainty and risk for British businesses.
The party has said it will only sanction a referendum if further powers are handed from the UK to Brussels requiring a fundamental change to existing treaties.The party has said it will only sanction a referendum if further powers are handed from the UK to Brussels requiring a fundamental change to existing treaties.
The Liberal Democrats remain committed to staying in the EU, while the UK Independence Party wants Britain to leave.The Liberal Democrats remain committed to staying in the EU, while the UK Independence Party wants Britain to leave.