Author Archives: Antony Hook

G20 countries say Brexit would be bad news for the world economy, says George Osborne in the Independent (video).

A Cabinet Office report says it would take years, perhaps a decade, to replace trade agreements if the UK were to leave the EU.

Gibraltar has passed its legislation to take part in the referendum.  Gibraltar is part of the UK for purposes of EU membership so we remain or leave together, although like Scotland it may be that a UK exit would lead Gibraltar to review its relationship with the UK.

Bank UBS are advising clients that the risk …

The Prime Minister has started campaigning. David Cameron has correctly said that this referendum is more important than the General Election. He began his fight with a speech at O2’s HQ in Slough.  You can read or watch the speech and Q&A afterwards, here.

The PM began by talking about his reform deal. As I’ve said before “I’ve made it less bad” is insufficient to win. He needs to make the case “it’s a good thing” and he did go on to that, talking about the economy and security.

Mr Cameron said:

Far better off inside the European Union. Three million jobs are dependent on our trade with

…

More economic news supporting IN

The possibility of Brexit, and Boris Johnson’s self-serving jump to OUT, has led the pound to a 6 year low against the dollar.

FTSE 100 company leaders have signed a letter in support of IN, reports The Independent.

Bosses at more than a third of the companies in the FTSE 100 have signed a letter declaring that Britain is better in the European Union, saying a Brexit would threaten investment in the UK and lead to potential job losses.

The letter is being co-ordinated by 10 Downing Street and is expected to be released on Tuesday, but

…

The criminal offence, which carries a maximum of life imprisonment, of Misconduct in Public Office is rarely charged but it has significance for people especially interested in political matters.

There is no definitive list of public offices for the purposes of this offence but it certainly includes local councillors and other elected officials, civil servants, local government officers and people appointed to statutory authorities (e.g. the board of a national park, or the Equality Commission).

The offence is committed when a holder of public office, acting as such

• wilfully neglects to perform his duty and/or wilfully misconducts himself
•  to such a degree as to amount to

…

Cameron’s rating and a jury advocate’s view on winning this case.

David Cameron’s personal ratings have slumped in the wake of his re-negotiation, which was greeted negatively by the Conservative press, reports the Independent.

It is my view that the Prime Minister cannot win the referendum if his rhetoric is “I have made the EU less bad”. He needs to make the case “the EU is a good thing.”

In my day job as a barrister I would not expect to secure a client’s acquittal by saying to the jury “my client is guilty of the offence but not as guilty as the …

A lot of party members tell me they feel a need for more factual information to help us win the EU Ref debate.

Within the party we have brilliant writers of leaflets and local press releases who, if supplied the information, can turn it into effective communication.

An excellent new resource has been launched that will help with this.  Infacts.org is a well presented website that contains briefings on key factual questions relevant to the referendum and rebuttals to the misrepresentations of the Quitters.  It is set up and run by a group of journalists, listed on the website and many of

It’s the economy, stupid

Small exporters in Britain are suffering due to the risk of Brexit reports the Times.

Companies are less confident about their prospects than at any time in the past three years, amid fears about the global economy and uncertainty about Britain’s place in Europe.

London First say that staying in will boost London by £13.9 billion and several thousand jobs reports City AM.

Previous roundups have mentioned the risk Brexit poses to the pound.  Goldman Sachs are now advising to expect a 20% crash in the pound’s value if we leave (Guardian).

Immigration

Many of us have family members or friends abroad.  British citizens who emigrate, whether permanently or temporarily, retain their right to vote for 15 years.  They need to register like all voters.

There is a lot at stake for British people abroad in the EU referendum.

For the 2.2m British citizens living, working or studying in other EU states there is the obvious point that if we leave the EU they lose their rights to be there.  They would be exposed to risks such as having to leave, not being able to work, having to apply for a visa, having to pay …

Just about every government in the world, except (UKIP’s favorite) Russia, has expressed a view that it hopes Britain remains in the EU. This includes Commonwealth countries and allies in North and South America, Africa and Asia.

President Obama intervened again this week by advising David Cameron in a phone call on Tuesday that the US sees Britain’s interests as best served in the EU rather than outside.

Of course, the White House will fully expect that this information will become public knowledge …

Cameron’s renegotiation package is clearly the current referendum news story.  There will be much analysis over coming days and many people (particularly Conservative MPs) who have sat on the fence will have to make their minds up.

The Liberal Democrat position is clear:

We think being in Europe is good for Britain.  We continue to think that after Cameron’s proposed reforms.

One of the proposals is a Red Card whereby 55% of member states’ national parliaments (i.e. 15 out of 28) can block proposed EU law.  This is a reform Liberal Democrats should welcome as supporters of parliamentary scrutiny.

The “proposed UK-EU settlement” will be published ,so we …

Trade Unions

Trade Unions are backing an IN vote reports the International Business Times.

The TUC’s assessment is that if Britain was to leave the EU there would be really big risk to rights that matter to people’s real lives, from paid holidays to parental leave, health and safety at work, these are the sorts of rights that people depend on week by week,” O’Grady said, referring to a possible British exit.

“If you take that floor away, workers will be worse off. It’s a hell of a gamble for those who want to leave Europe, to depend on particularly the government we have now to protect the rights on which so many people’s working lives depend.

Cheaper flights IN

EasyJet CEO Carolyn McCall has said EU membership means lower fares and the airline intends to communicate this passengers, reports Reuters.

Our Environment

Environmental experts say Brexit poses a risk to a greener future, reports Business Green.

Analysis of what would happen post-Brexit

The Telegraph and Open Europe hosted a “war game” in which experienced politicians role-played the UK and other countries after Brexit and things worked our badly for post-Brexit Britain.

There has been a lot of analysis by financial institutions that Brexit will harm Britain. Deutsche Bank’s has added to this analysis that Brexit would also undermine the EU’s standing in the world.

In the Guardian, Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, has objected to the possibility of the referendum being held on 23 June.  Her reason on is very odd.  She says it would be “disrespectful” to Scotland due to the Scottish parliament election in May. She seems to overlook the fact that the whole UK is voting in one or more election and May and 23 June gives six clear weeks – comparable to a General Election campaign.

82% of people consider that leaving the EU would be “a risk” reports the Independent.

IN campaign chairman Lord Rose is urging people to focus on …

Lib Dem Voice’s EU Editor Antony Hook looks at the latest news on the EU referendum from the UK and international press.

Shell has said they would be damaged if Britain voted to leave the EU, reports the International Business Times.

In his usual tactful style, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has hinted at “economic certainty” as the referendum approaches, reports the Daily Mail and Reuters.

The South China Morning Post, one of the most important newspapers in Asia, reports on the hit sterling and UK shares are taking because of the perceived risk of Brexit.

Peter Foster, Europe Editor of the Telegraph, argues that public interest in the referendum is still relatively low and therefore we should assume people have yet to make up their minds.  Professor Annand Menon is quoted in the article arguing that a short attention span for the campaign will make who the messenger is more important:

People won’t listen to a lengthy debate on stuff they find irrelevant at best and boring at worst, so someone they trust delivering the message is absolutely fundamental.