2015 – 099 MISTAKEN ASSUMPTIONS OF THE EU REFERENDUM

FUTURUS BRIEFING A SERIES OF BRIEFINGS ON THE EU REFERENDUM updated 18.09.15. MISTAKEN ASSUMPTIONS OF THE EU REFERENDUM BATTLE 1. Business supports remaining in the EU. WRONG Many businessmen make speeches about the advantages of remaining in the Single Market. It is perfectly possible to remain in the Single Market and leave the EU, as detailed in the FLEXCIT plan, supported by us. Businessmen do not make speeches supporting any other part of EU membership. 2. The referendum is about business. WRONG By remaining in the Single Market there will be no change to jobs, investment or trade. 3. The referendum is about the UK’s trading arrangements. WRONG Remaining in the Single Market means there will be no change to jobs, investment or trade. Deciding future trading arrangements will be done at a future date by democratic discussion in an independent UK. 4. The alternatives are presented by the government as remaining in the EU as it is, or leaving for an unknown future. WRONG There is no option of remaining in the EU as it is. The correct alternatives were put by Jacques Delors in 2012: “If the British cannot support the trend to more integration in Europe, we can remain friends but on a different basis. I could imagine a form such as an European Economic Area or a Free trade Agreement.” 5. The referendum is about whether or not Cameron’s reforms are satisfactory. WRONG The referendum is about ‘remain or leave’ the European Union, not choosing between an ‘unreformed’ and ‘reformed’ European Union. 6. A ‘remain in’ vote proved to be a blank cheque in 1976. The British government took a ‘remain in’ vote as authority to push through numerous further treaties, further integration and loss of independence. A new ‘remain in’ vote is another blank cheque. 7. The referendum is about British influence and sitting at the ‘top table’. WRONG The UK is not, and does not want to be a member of the inner core of the EU either in the eurozone or the Schengen agreement on open borders. This lack of involvement has not diminished British influence because the EU long ceased to be the ‘top table’ and is nowadays more a transmission belt for regulation from global bodies 8. It is safe to remain in the European Union. WRONG Staying in the EU means the UK is involved in the eurozone crisis and the refugee/migration crisis in the rest of the EU. These crises arise from the supranational nature of the EU and can be termed ‘existential’. It also means that the UK voters proclaiming they are not concerned about these crises are willingly giving up their strong opportunity to change matters. The EU institutions will conclude they can move into much faster integration. Media contact: Anthony Scholefield: anthony.scholefield@ntlworld.com 07805 397424 FUTURUS is now a member of The Referendum Planning Group: For further details of FLEXCIT please contact Dr. Richard North: http://eureferendum.com/ Robert Oulds: robert@brugesgroup.com 020 7287 4414/07740 029787 www.brugesgroup.com 214 Linen Hall, 162-8 Regent Street, London W1B 5TB