EU referendum: Nigel Farage says “the word reform in Brussels means” greater drive toward “United States of Europe”
In his last speech ahead of the EU referendum Nigel Farage has said that reform in Brussels means a greater drive toward a "United States of Europe".
Speaking to an audience in London, Farage said that Prime Minister David Cameron told the UK he was going to get a great deal for the country, but got "very little" which is not legally enforceable.
"Today he makes yet a frankly dishonest pitch. He tells us 'if we vote to Remain, we're voting for further reform.'"
Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday that Britain would be in an enhanced position to press the EU for further reform, including to free movement, if there is a Remain vote on Thursday.
However, sceptics say that the EU has shown itself time and time again unwilling to reform.
Farage continued to state former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair had failed to get the reform in Europe they sought, adding: "The word reform in Brussels means something different. It means a greater, deeper drive towards centralisation. A deeper commitment to fulfilling the dreams of the original founders, the fulfilment of a United States of Europe."
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However, speaking to BBC, pro-Remain campaigner Yvette Cooper said the UK has the best of both worlds: "We have access to the Single Market, and yet we're not part of the euro. We have control of our borders at the same time.
"But we should be arguing for reform in Europe. But we won't get any of those reforms if we just pull out. The question is whether we can influence them to get them to change things that we need them to do differently because that's what's in our interests."
Farage also said that the Remain side is about the "vested interests, the big corporate businesses, who can write the rules for their own businesses to the detriment of their small and medium sized competitors".
"There is almost an entire political and bureaucratic class in favour of [Remain]. After all there are 1,000 people working for the European institutions in Brussels who earn more than David Cameron. If you're in favour of that set, what's not to like?"
Farage continued to plead with the British to turnout and vote. "If you've never voted before because you think voting won't change anything, then tomorrow is your opportunity to make a difference."
Britain Stronger In Europe was not immediately available for comment.
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The Ukip leader also said that Cameron had used the full apparatus of the state to garner support for Remain, citing the £9m of taxpayer money used to pay for a pro-EU leaflet, but said "there's not much point moaning about it. We have to accept the card we've been dealt".
He said that if Leave loses by a thin margin, it would be very unlikely that the UK would be the first country to leave the EU, as it would come up against the opposition in the form of the House of Commons, "where a lot of people regret ever giving the British people the opportunity to have this say".
So, it would instead by the Denmark or the Netherlands who would vote "to leave before we did, but I hope we are first".