Ahead of ballot on May 7, the former Labour prime minister pleaded for Britain to stay in the EU
ADVERTISEMENTEntering the fray of Britain’s election campaign, Tony Blair has declared his support for Labour leader Ed Miliband.
Ahead of the ballot on May the 7th, the former Labour prime minister also pleaded for Britain to stay in the European Union.
“I believe passionately that leaving Europe would leave Britain diminished in the world,” he said.
“(It would also) do significant damage to our economy, and – less obviously, but just as important to our future – would go against the very qualities that mark us out still as a great global nation.”
But Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron rejected the criticism, saying Britons themselves have a right to decide.
“Tony Blair says don’t trust the people, I say wrong. We should trust the people. We’re going to renegotiate our relationship with Europe and then there’ll be an in-out referendum by the end of 2017. That’s the right thing for Britain.”
The country’s economic direction and EU-membership are seen as among the biggest issues in this campaign.
Cameron’s Conservatives are neck and neck with Labour in most opinion polls.
Tony Blair: the public can't be trusted to make a 'sensible choice' on the EU http://t.co/zeKUYPC9g4pic.twitter.com/3dKgjOeIp9
— Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) April 7, 2015
Tony Blair’s EU speech verdict: ‘It’s the first time in the campaign my blood has boiled’ http://t.co/qVEgmFuRhs
— The Guardian (@guardian) April 7, 2015
Is Blair playing straight into Farage's hands? http://t.co/h3FBIrN69lpic.twitter.com/aG05L2gZmK
— The Independent (@Independent) April 7, 2015
Former British leader Tony Blair warns that a 2nd term for Conservatives risks economic chaos: http://t.co/gCjcyKub99
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 7, 2015
As a fan of
GameOfThrones</a>, it was great to see the contribution it's making to Northern Ireland & the UK's economy: <a href="https://t.co/mVsFKNQrC4">https://t.co/mVsFKNQrC4</a></p>— David Cameron (David_Cameron) April 7, 2015
When a serious figure like Tony Blair warns UK national interest is threatened by a Tory 2nd term, people from all parties should take note.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) April 7, 2015