Brexit would diminish UK's sovereignty, warns Bruton

Britain leaving the EU would actually diminish its sovereignty, ex-Irish premier John Bruton has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2016, 17:50 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2016, 18:54 BST
John Bruton said Britain would lose international influence if it left the EUJohn Bruton said Britain would lose international influence if it left the EU
John Bruton said Britain would lose international influence if it left the EU

The former EU ambassador to Washington said London would be stripped of its huge influence at the international negotiating table on key global issues if voters back a Brexit.

“Membership of the EU gives the UK a seat at the table when international trade agreements are being made,” he said.

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“The EU helps set the rules for global services and goods trade, and if the UK opts to leave the EU, its voice will simply not be heard when it comes to setting those rules.

“Opting out of the EU would thus diminish UK sovereignty.”

Mr Bruton also claimed the loss of international influence could be “catastrophic” for both businesses and shoppers in the UK.

He was speaking at an investment seminar organised by Appian Asset Management in Dublin.

Mr Bruton said Britain also needed to heed its deficit – the deepest since 1955 – as it mulls leaving the EU ahead of the in/out referendum on June 23.

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“The UK is spending more abroad than it is earning there,” he said.

“It is making up the difference with borrowing.

“A country that is borrowing more abroad must be particularly sensitive to the volatile opinions of foreigners.”

He predicted turnout would be crucial to the result.

“Young voters want to stay in the EU, but only 43 per cent of under 25-year-olds voted in the last UK general election,” he told the seminar.

“In contrast, older people want to leave the EU, and in the last election, 75 per cent of them voted.”

Related topics:LondonBrexitWashington