Tony Blair to warn against EU chaos as he enters election campaign fray

Tony Blair will today warn a second term for David Cameron risks economic chaos and endangers the British national interest. The former prime minister, speaking in his former constituency of Sedgefield, will spell out his fears that Mr Cameron’s appeasement of right wing Tories and Ukip is pushing Britain toward Europe’s exit door. Mr Blair’s appearance, alongside his wife Cherie, will be the first in a series of campaign stops over the coming days. He will warn the possibility of a British exit from the European Union would create job insecurity and leave a “pall of unpredictability hanging over the British economy”.

I believe passionately that leaving Europe would leave Britain diminished in the world, do significant damage to our economy and, less obviously but just as important to our future, would go against the very qualities and ambitions that mark us out still as a great global nation.

Excerpt from a speech that Tony Blair will deliver today

Mr Blair will urge voters to “reflect” on those seeking an EU exit and ask whether they are “the standard bearers of an open-minded culturally tolerant Britain”, warning Ukip offers the “oldest politics in history”. He will also praise his Labour successor for showing “real leadership” in opposing an in-out referendum - though Ed Miliband will not be present, as he is due to be campaigning in the south west of England. Mr Cameron is due to step up his own campaign with a national tour, starting in Scotland and taking in all four nations of the United Kingdom in a matter of hours.

I want Labour to win. I want us to win for the future of our country and its place in the world. I want Labour, under Ed’s leadership, to be the government of our country on May 8. I believe we can and will do it.

From Tony Blair’s speech, to be delivered later today

Politics Tony Blair