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Tony Blair blasts David Cameron's EU referendum pledge

Xinhua, April 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday attacked current Prime Minister David Cameron's policy on Europe, warning that a referendum on Britain's European Union (EU) membership could lead to economic "chaos."

"The referendum on Europe carries with it the same risk... I agree that a vote in Europe would also be of importance. But that doesn't mean it is sensible to have it," Blair said Tuesday in a rare intervention ahead of the British general election in May.

Speaking in his previous Sedgefield constituency in England, he voiced his concerns over the rising "nationalism" behind Britain's EU referendum debate.

"We know what this movement to wrench us out of Europe is based on...Nationalism as a political cause, in the hands of parties like UKIP (UK Independence Party), is almost always ugly and can never...disguise its mean spirit," he warned.

In his speech, Blair also expressed his solidarity with Labor Party leader Ed Miliband. The Labor Party leader also said he is "100 percent happy" to have Tony Blair's support.

"What Tony's doing today will speak to voters right across the political spectrum who will think this is someone who is making an intervention in an election campaign and pointing out the risks it poses to our country," Miliband noted.

In response, Cameron hit back at Blair's arguments, stressing that "the British people deserve a say about Europe."

"Tony Blair and Ed Miliband don't think we should trust the people and I completely disagree... You can't stay in an organization unless it has the full-hearted consent of the people and that is why it is right to have a referendum," Cameron refuted while campaigning in Belfast.

Cameron has pledged to hold an "in or out" referendum on whether Britain should withdraw from the EU by 2017, if his Conservative Party wins the 2015 general election, which is to be held on May 7. Endit