Brexit would be ‘irresponsible and potentially dangerous’ at time of global uncertainty, says William Hague
Former Foreign Secretary calls on voters who are 'critical and sceptical' of the EU to back Remain due to risks of leaving
BREXIT would be "irresponsible and potentially dangerous" at a time of global uncertainty, says former foreign secretary William Hague.
The peer, who led the Tory party between 1997 and 2001, is calling on voters who are "critical and sceptical" of the EU to back Remain due to the risks of leaving.
It is a marked change for the ex-Leader of the Opposition, who was seen as an arch Eurosceptic during his time in frontline politics.
But in a keynote speech ahead of the June 23 referendum on European Union membership, he dismissed as "total fantasy" claims about the benefits of a vote to break from Brussels.
“We are entering an age in which the world is subject to greater political and economic risk than we have experienced in recent decades,” he said.
"To add to those risks at a time of uncertainty without any clear idea as to what the alternative plan might be, is irresponsible and potentially dangerous. It is not sensible to do that unless it is, for some other reason, essential to do so."
Lord Hague also echoed concerns raised by David Cameron about the prospect of Brexit triggering the break-up of the UK, with the potential for a second Scottish independence vote.
And he hit out at the claims made by former Cabinet colleague Michael Gove and the Vote Leave camp about the UK's prospects after severing ties with Brussels.
RELATED STORIES:
He said: "The idea that we can leave the EU without any serious economic consequences for jobs and businesses in Britain, and somehow have more money to spend on the NHS and other services at the same time, is a total fantasy, and people need to know that before they vote.
"I'm the first to say Europe isn't perfect. I've spent my political life standing up to it.
“But for all its imperfections, it protects jobs and boosts our standing and power in the world.
"Let me tell you straight, as someone who's an outright Eurosceptic, leaving the European Union would be downright irresponsible."
Earlier today he warned a vote to Leave would risk the "fragmentation" of the West at a perilous time.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he urged voters to look at the wider issues facing the country.
"When I was leading the Conservative Party one of the great dangers to this country was domination by the European Union, of losing our democratic accountability in this country," he said.
"Now I believe a greater danger is a fragmentation of the Western world in the face of terrorism and many other threats in the world including great economic uncertainty and threat.
"The UK leaving the EU will contribute to dividing us across the Atlantic, to splitting apart America and Europe.”
Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368