British prime minister David Cameron has warned a Brexit would damage the economy and farming industry in Northern Ireland during a visit to persuade voters to remain in the European Union.
Mr Cameron was at the Bushmills whiskey distillery and then spoke to farmers in Ahoghill to urge them to vote to remain in a reformed EU on June 23rd. During the half-day visit, as part of a tour of UK regions, Mr Cameron said quitting the 28-nation bloc would be a "leap in the dark" for the economy and farmers. He believes there is too much risk in leaving, as "more than 60 per cent of Northern Ireland's exports go the EU and around 40 per cent of its investment comes from the EU". He also said it was for the Leave campaigners to answer what would happen to Irish Border arrangements in the event of a Brexit.
On the implications of a Brexit for the political situation in the North, cross-Border projects and peace projects funded by EU money, Mr Cameron said " . . . today, the institutions of Northern Ireland are up and running again and working well". He added: "The work being done between the Assembly government and the British government, that is going well. The relationship between the Republic of Ireland, that is going well, and so I want all those things to continue. My side of the argument, the Remain side of the argument, part of our case is we have got economic strength – we have got political stability. Let's build on that by staying in a reformed European Union.
“Obviously the dislocation that could come from leaving can cause some difficulties and some problems, so whatever happens we will make sure we continue to support the institutions of Northern Ireland and good relations with the Republic.”
Better-off
Northern Secretary
Theresa Villiers
is one of five British cabinet ministers backing the Leave campaign. On whether Mr Cameron agreed with Ms Villiers that Northern Ireland could prosper outside the EU, he said the region “would be better-off in a reformed European Union”. “I think better-off, stronger, safer, stronger economically,” he added. “One of the reasons people invest in Northern Ireland is that it is part of the European Union so I very strongly believe that and Theresa will set out her own views.”
London mayor Boris Johnson, who is also campaigning to leave the EU, will visit Northern Ireland today and Ukip leader Nigel Farage is expected tomorrow when he will take part in a debate at Queen's University with Labour shadow secretary of state Vernon Coaker.
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister accused Mr Cameron of scaremongering and bringing "Project Fear to Ulster" at the weekend.
Stormont's Sinn Féin agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill spoke about the benefits of the EU to the island of Ireland and described the upcoming referendum as a "Frankstein created by David Cameron that he is now struggling hard to control". Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance Party are in favour of remaining in the EU. The DUP, TUV and Ukip are backing the Leave campaign. The Ulster Unionist Party is expected to reveal its decision on the EU debate this week.
