UK’s Future Outside EU Is Rosy, Pro-`Brexit’ Minister Says

Iain Duncan Smith twisted the knife on David Cameron today as he accused the Prime Minister of having a “low opinion of the British people”.

David Cameron has been dealt a fresh blow as a former Tory leader said the European Union renegotiation has “met with failure” and called for a vote to cut ties with Brussels.

Cameron’s backing for EU membership has the support much of London’s financial district, major companies, much of the Labour Party, major trade unions, global allies and Scottish nationalists. “I think people really do need understand that it’s a single decision, it’s a final decision, and there are only two choices”.

“Britain is a phenomenal country”.

“It has stood alone and fought for freedom”.

“I have a different view”.

He added: “The in campaign’s whole strategy seems to be about basically saying we’re too small, we’re too little … Britain is a great country”.

Sniping within the party continued unabated into the weekend, with Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne making barely-disguised attacks on London mayor Boris Johnson, one of the highest-profile pro-Brexit Conservatives.

Asked whether there could be another referendum, Johnson told the paper: “No Out is out”. “It’s simply not good enough to assert everything will be all right when jobs and our country’s future are at stake”. “As well as negotiating its withdrawal, the United Kingdom would also want to negotiate its post-exit arrangements with the European Union”, the officials claim. A vote to leave is the gamble of the century. And it would be our children’s futures on the table if we were to roll the dice.

Mr Duncan Smith – one of five Cabinet ministers who have broken ranks to join the Leave campaign – insisted that he “must have the right to continue to look” at material such as the implementation of the “emergency brake”, stressing he was “constitutionally” in charge of the department.

The referendum will centre on a “fundamental question about whether Britain and Scotland should remain in the European Union or leave the European Union”, the Liberal Democrat peer said.

“This isn’t some amusing adventure into the unknown – it’s deadly serious”, he said.

“That is a trade deal, about access to our markets, access to theirs. Part of our red lines would be about us being able to control our borders as we want…That deal is very doable”. Opinion polls show voters in Europe’s second biggest economy are deeply divided over the issue, and many remain undecided.

Analysis: How will a divided government work during the campaign?

The papers, promised during the passage of legislation paving the way to the referendum, will be prepared by civil servants and signed off by ministers and will offer a “fact-based, balanced” view of the issues so that voters can make an informed choice, said Mr Cameron’s spokeswoman.

That stance has been seen by many critics, especially those in British politics and media who are on the “Remain” side, as a calculation to position himself to replace Cameron in the event that the “Leave” camp wins the referendum.

“People should look at the arguments. It is not going to come around again”.

Mr Cameron’s official spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has worked closely with Michael Howard for a number of years and has great respect for him”.

In front of a host of Worcestershire MPs he said Mr Cameron should change his mind, insisting “one conversation with a BBC journalist” should not be allowed to bring his entire premiership to an early end.

“If we voted to leave, the last thing the country would want is for the Government to be distracted by another leadership contest in the Conservative Party”, he said.