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Conservative Party Leader Promises to Keep Britain in Europe

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Yesterday, William Hague, leader of the Conservative Party, affirmed that his party will not pull Britain out of the European Union. He criticized a pro-European group, Britain in Europe (BiE), for what he described as "irresponsible scaremongering" by attempting to link opponents of the euro with a minority wanting Britain to leave the EU. Hague stated that the Conservative Party took Britain into Europe and will continue to keep it in Europe, emphasizing that membership has expanded opportunities for Britain. However, he added that the party does not accept being run by Europe and abolishing the pound.

Key Takeaways:

  • William Hague, Conservative Party leader, vowed to keep Britain in the European Union.
  • Hague accused Britain in Europe (BiE) of "irresponsible scaremongering" by linking euro opponents with an "extremist minority" wanting Britain to leave the EU.
  • BiE launched the "Out of Europe, Out of Work" campaign to highlight potential costs of withdrawal, citing research showing 3.4 million jobs depend on EU demand for British exports.
  • BiE was criticized for misinterpreting a study by the National Institute of Economic Research, which estimated 50,000 to 175,000 jobs would be lost by withdrawal.
  • Stephen Byers, Trade and Industry Secretary, and Ian Taylor, former Tory Trade Minister, attended the launch of BiE's campaign.
  • The National Institute of Economic Research refuted BiE's claim of 8 million jobs at risk, stating that about 3.2 million jobs are related to EU exports.

Statistics:

  • 3.4 million jobs in Britain depend on demand for British exports in the EU (Source: Britain in Europe research).
  • 3.2 million jobs are related to EU exports in Britain (Source: National Institute of Economic Research).
  • 50,000 to 175,000 jobs might be lost by Britain withdrawing from the EU, according to the National Institute of Economic Research.

Sources:

  • William Hague, leader of the Conservative Party
  • Britain in Europe (BiE)
  • The Times (Copyright C 2000, Leading article, page 23)

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