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Monday 16 May 2016 10:10 am

EU referendum: Prime Minister David Cameron says poorest would be worst hit in recession while he praises EU for equality and human rights

By: James Nickerson

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Every single job depends on a strong economy, which itself depends on the EU, Prime Minister David Cameron has warned.

The Prime Minister, appealing to similar arguments Labour has made for remaining in the EU, echoed sentiments of the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, that a recession could hit in the event of Brexit, and that the poorest and most vulnerable would be hardest hit.

Writing in the Mirror, Cameron said that three million people’s livelihoods are linked to trade with Europe, countless more indirectly, and as such people shouldn't take a "punt on our future" by voting to leave the 28-member bloc.

The Prime Minister wrote: "We’re fighting for lower prices. It’s widely accepted – even by those who want to leave – that leaving would knock our currency.

"Hurt the pound and you hit people in the pocket because the price of the food we import goes up. The Bank of England has said it would be left choosing between causing job losses and pushing up prices in the wake of an exit.

Read more: Corbyn appeals to young people to back EU, which he doesn't love but UK benefits from

"We’re fighting for our children’s ­opportunities. As parents, we want the world to be their oyster. We want them to be able to travel, live and work abroad if they wish.

"Yet the Treasury has said that, outside the EU, our economy would be 6% smaller than it would have been. That’s a cost of £4,300 to every household."

In the wide-ranging article, Cameron not only pointed to income, jobs and investment, but also focussed on arguments typically made by Labour so far.

"And in an age when democracy, equality and human rights are no longer assured, the EU has become an even more powerful means of standing alongside those who share our fundamental values," Cameron wrote.

Read more: Major attacks some fellow Conservatives for "morphing into Ukip"

Indeed, the Prime Minister acknowledged how "it's not every day you get a Tory Prime Minister writing in the Mirror".

"It’s been an extraordinary time. I’ve teamed up with Brendan Barber of the TUC. I’ve shared a stage with David Miliband.

"Midwives and manufacturers, lawyers and labourers, farmers and phone companies, unions and universities – they’ve spoken with one voice, proving the strength of feeling about Britain staying in Europe."

Cameron also sought to address the issue of international influence, stating leaving the EU would lead to a "national decline".

"I've been in this job six years now. Whatever you think of me I know how Britain gets things done in the world."

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