EU referendum: Here’s the “positive case” for staying in the EU, according to David Cameron
When David Cameron set the date for the EU referendum back in February, he told the world you’d never catch him talking down Britain.
A few months, some close opinion polls and a two slightly dodgy dossiers of Treasury analysis later, and that “positive case” for staying in the EU seems a distant memory. “Project Fear” is in the ascendancy.
Read more: How much do we contribute to the EU budget?
This morning, just as the G7 was doubling down on its warnings about how Brexit is a “serious risk to growth”, the prime minister was giving a press conference in which he insisted:
“It’s a very positive argument about the economy that we’re making.”
So, just in case you’d forgotten about all those positive messages the PM and his team have been sending out, here’s a little reminder.
Clear enough?
This delightfully upbeat message was plastered onto the homepage of the Treasury website earlier this week, highlighting just how great life will be however the UK chooses to vote.
We can assume Cameron and co must think a "recession" is a pretty positive development if they insisted there would be no negativity from their side of the campaign.
Triple threat to pensions
Just hours before purdah rules came into effect today, Cameron also decided to tell pensioners how much he believes Britain can thrive outside the EU in a “triple threat” warning of a £32,000 hit to pension pots after Brexit:
“The first thing people want when they approach retirement is the certainty of knowing they’ll have enough money to live comfortably. A strong economy is also vital to pensioners – it keeps the cost of living down and makes sure they get returns on their investments.
“A Leave vote puts all that in jeopardy. We owe it to all the people who have worked hard and saved all their lives to find dignity in retirement. A vote to remain is a vote for the certainty they need.”
Extra hours in the City
Square Mile workers were also told how great life will be outside the EU – especially as "tens of thousands" of them will have quite a bit of extra time on their hands.
According to the chancellor George Osborne:
“Tens of thousands of jobs in financial services and connected industries would be at risk if Britain votes to leave the EU on 23 June."
For better or for worse
“Britain will be worse off by £4,300 a year per household if Britain votes to leave the European Union,” the Treasury declared in April, in its first of two highly controversial economic impact studies into the effect of Brexit.
But don't worry, they probably still think Britain will "thrive" whatever happens in four weeks.
"Can everybody see that big red number at the back?"
Unleashing the research, the chancellor said: “The analysis shows that a vote to leave would mean Britain would be permanently poorer, to the tune of £4,300 a year for every household. Under any alternative, we’d trade less, do less business and receive less investment. And the price would be paid by British families. Wages would be lower and prices would be higher.”
Houses hit
Not feeling the positive vibes yet? Well how about the government’s message on how Brexit would hit house prices?
“There would be a significant shock to the housing market, that would hit the value of people’s homes”, George Osborne said, as he predicted house prices could plummet by 18 per cent after Brexit.
That's great news for first time buyers and those looking to downsize.
It all started back in April when the government sent this handy brochure outlining why the UK should stay in the EU at a cost of £9.3m.
But, hang on, even though house prices will go down, the amount you have to pay to get your hands on one could still increase, because Brexit "would hit the cost of mortgages," Osborne warned.
That’s right, economic uncertainty and some unclear ideas about where interest rates are going to go would mean that mortgage rates also shoot up – not much relief for first-time buyers or homeowners, then.
War-war jaw-jaw
As the top dog, the prime minister must also be a big fan of war. Why else would he suggest that a vote to leave the EU could plunge the globe into World War 3 as part of his upbeat campaign strategy?
Earlier this month the prime minister said:
"Whenever we turn our back on Europe, sooner or later we come to regret it. We have always had to go back in, and always at much higher cost. The serried rows of white headstones in lovingly tended Commonwealth war cemeteries stand as silent testament to the price this country has paid to help restore peace and order in Europe.
"Can we be so sure that peace and stability on our continent are assured beyond any shadow of doubt? Is that a risk worth taking? I would never be so rash as to make that assumption."
Think of the sheep
Feeling as pumped-up as the PM about the UK’s future whether we're in or out of the EU? Well, if you’re ready to vote for Brexit, this warning might make ewe think twice.
“The single market is essential for British lamb,” said environment secretary Liz Truss last week. “Without the benefits the industry enjoys from our membership of the EU, the very future of this iconic industry could be under threat.”
That’s right. Sheep for Europe.
It’s enough to drive you to drink …
With four weeks to go until the vote, all this positivity may make you want to raise a glass.
Not so fast – the government was told yesterday that the UK could lose out on continental wines and our fledgling booze industry would suffer if voters choose the exit route.
Hearing the scary news, Damian Hinds, Osborne’s underling at the Treasury said:
“If the UK votes to leave the EU then the loss of access to the single market will result in a profound economic shock that will make this country permanently poorer. So, the message is clear, leaving the EU could drain investment away from the UK.”
Confused? Well, fear not, everybody from Michael Caine to Mumsnet has been weighing into the debate so there's plenty of actual positivity to go round – whichever side of the argument you're on.