EU referendum: David Cameron says 'Brits don't quit' as he makes 'personal' appeal for Britain to stay in the EU outside No 10

David Cameron delivers a statement on the steps of Downing Street
David Cameron delivers a statement on the steps of Downing Street Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Cameron makes ‘personal’ appeal for Remain

David Cameron has pleaded with parents and grandparents to vote to stay in the European Union for the sake of the younger generations of Britons.

The Prime Minister made a personal plea outside No 10 and warned that the economic impact of Brexit would hit jobs and opportunities for years to come.

"These are risks to our families and we should not take them," he said.

He warned that "future generations" would be "hit hardest" as he spoke outside 10 Downing Street.

Mr Cameron said: "For you, for your family, for the future of our country, vote Remain."

David Cameron urging the public the vote remain on Thursday
David Cameron urging the public the vote remain on Thursday Credit: Paul Grover for the Telegraph

Boris Johnson accuses No.10 of ‘leaning on’ businesses to back Remain

Downing Street is "leaning on" business leaders to stop them from supporting Brexit by offering them Government contracts or honours, Boris Johnson has suggested. 

The Mayor of London said that a Downing Street "operation" is being used to put "pressure" on business leaders to ensure there support in the referendum campaign.

He said: "I can't tell you the pressure Project Fear and Remain not to articulate their views. Everyone has an interest one way or another keeping friendly with Government. 

Boris Johnson campaigning for 'Vote Leave' 
Boris Johnson campaigning for 'Vote Leave'  Credit: Ben Stevens / i-Images

"I do not wish in any way to be disparaging or critical of my friends in Government but it is well known there is an operation in Downing Street. You will get a call from a young man. 

"They will say we want to continue to have contracts with you. It's very important that you have friendly relations. There's an honours system. And that's how it happens. There's a bit of leaning on."

Corbyn backs early 'snap election' if  Brexit happens

Britain could face a snap general election after the EU referendum, Jeremy Corbyn has said as he suggested Labour would back moves to hold a vote before 2020.

The Labour leader said the Tories may move to repeal the Fixed-Term Parliament Act which dictates that elections are held every five years.

Mr Corbyn added that his party would be "very, very ready" to fight an election before 2020 in a clear hint that he would back such a move. The comments are significant because two thirds of MPs would need to support the change for it to pass.

That means the Tories alone would not be able to force through a snap election but could do so with Labour's support.

There has been speculation that the Conservatives may want to hold an early election to ease Tory tensions after the referendum and gain the public's backing for a new party leader.

Jeremy Corbyn addresses an audience at the People's History Museum
Jeremy Corbyn addresses an audience at the People's History Museum Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Steve Hilton claims PM was told net migration target was ‘impossible’ 

David Cameron's former policy guru Steve Hilton has said the Prime Minister has known for years that he cannot meet the immigration targets he keeps setting.

Mr Hilton claimed Whitehall officials told Mr Cameron that it was "impossible" for the Government to meet its immigration promises while Britain remained in the EU.

David Cameron's former policy guru Steve Hilton
David Cameron's former policy guru Steve Hilton

He says civil servants said "directly and explicitly" that the pledge to reduce net migrations to the tens of thousands would fail.

Just weeks ago Mr Cameron insisted he stuck by his "ambition" of bringing net migration into the UK - which last month hit 333,000 - below 100,000.

Mr Hilton said the premier reaffirmed his commitment to target in the 2015 general election even though he "had been told was undeliverable".

Beckham's back Remain campaign 

David Beckham has announced he will be voting to Remain in the EU on Thursday. 

The famous footballer and national treasure said Europe is a team and it needs to play together to succeed.

This then lead to a spat between the Leave.EU Brexit campaign, Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson and ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.

The ex-Manchester United player praised the European players he'd shared a pitch with over his career and the experience of playing across the cities of Europe. 

His wife Victoria has announced she backs her husband's decision, despite expressing some very strong opinions against the EU in an interview with the Spectator in 1996.

David Beckham
David Beckham

Economic experts compared to Nazis 

Michael Gove has compared economic experts warning about Brexit to Nazis who smeared Albert Einstein’s scientific findings during the 1930s. 

The eurosceptic Justice Secretary made the historical comparison when asked why voters should not listen to the economic organisations warning about the impact of an Out vote. 

Michael Gove
Michael Gove Credit: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

“I think the key thing here is to interrogate the assumptions that are made and to ask if these arguments are good,” he said during an interview with LBC Radio. 

“We have to be careful about historical comparisons, but Albert Einstein during the 1930s was denounced by the German authorities for being wrong and his theories were denounced and one of the reasons of course he was denounced was because he was Jewish.  

“They got 100 German scientists in the pay of the government to say that he was wrong and Einstein said ‘Look, if I was wrong, one would have been enough.’

He added: “The truth is that if you look at the quality of the analysis, if you look at the facts on the ground, you can come to an appropriate conclusion. 

“And the appropriate conclusion, I think, all of us can come to is that with growth rates so low in Europe, with so many unemployed and with the nature of the single currency so damaging, freeing ourselves from that project can only strength our economy.”

                                                                                                    

Bear Grylls: Leaving EU 'neither courageous nor kind'

The adventurer Bear Grylls has said his personal view was that the UK was "a trusted friend to so many nations" and to "cut ourselves loose" at a time of so many challenges, "to me just doesn't feel either courageous or kind".

He went on: "As a taxi driver said to me in Paris recently, we really need you, the UK. Don't desert us when times are tough, stand with us like you always have.That rang true.

"I have never been a good quitter and I am so proud of the UK and our values: tolerance, kindness, respect, courage and resilience. This is why I want us to stay together and Remain in Europe."

A personal view by Bear Grylls I am proud to represent a number of different & very inspiring organisations, but on this issue, I speak from the heart and only for myself. I also so respect the right for people to have varying views: that’s a key part of democracy. But the EU Referendum is an issue that really matters & this is why I believe it is important to be open. This referendum has been hard to watch at times but, at heart, this is what I feel: I have travelled all over the world and have noticed, so often, how many of the most vulnerable people look to the UK for character and leadership, as if we are like beacons of good manners and fortitude. Our country’s values and contribution are respected across Europe and beyond; the UK is a trusted friend to so many nations. Those things can get lost in the maze of headlines. At such a time for the UK to retreat, run and cut ourselves loose from Europe, when there are so many challenges on our doorstep, to me just doesn't feel either courageous or kind. Europe has many flaws, but I also believe the way to help resolve many of those tough issues is from within. History has taught us that together we achieve more. I guess I believe that to help make the future of the world a better place then that future has to be about partnership. As a taxi driver said to me in Paris recently, we really need you, the UK. Don't desert us when times are tough, stand with us like you always have. That rang true. I have never been a good quitter and I am so proud of the UK and our values: tolerance, kindness, respect, courage and resilience. This is why I want us to stay together and Remain in Europe. Bear Grylls.

A photo posted by Bear Grylls (@beargrylls) on

Former BNP Member Has Given £600,000 To Vote Leave 

One of Vote Leave’s biggest single donors is a former member of the British National Party, BuzzFeed News has revealed.

Gladys Bramall, of Sutton Coldfield, has given £600,000 to the official campaign to leave the European Union, according to updated Electoral Commission filings released on Tuesday morning.

The 88-year-old’s name and address appears on a version of the BNP membership list which was leaked in 2006, when Nick Griffin was the party leader.

Mr Gyimah, MP for East Surrey, responded to the donation by Gladys Bramall to Vote Leave, saying: "It's extremely concerning that Vote Leave have received so much money from a former member of the BNP an abhorrent organisation.

"By accepting this money they risk associating themselves with these views, especially following the resignation of one of their board members after she re-tweeted far right material. They must now return the donation immediately."

Vote Leave declined to comment.

Badges for sale at the event where Mayor of London Boris Johnson was speaking during a Vote Leave rally Credit: REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Brexit Brits are right about self-obsessed Brussels

Wolfgang Schaeuble, the powerful German finance minister, has said he sympathises with British voters who want to leave the European Union in an angry broadside at Brussels.

The EU's leadership has become "self-regarding", has gone "too far" and lost touch with voters across the continent.

“The Britons who’ve expressed scepticism in the European Union have also to a certain extent expressed our concerns,” Mr Schaeuble told a conference in Berlin. 

Wolfgang Schaeuble

“Perhaps we didn’t understand quite correctly, and it’s led to an excessive level of self-regard in the institutions and apparatuses in Brussels and Luxembourg. Perhaps we went too far and to some extent lost contact with our citizens.”

Even if Britain votes to stay in the EU, “we won’t simply be able to go on as before, otherwise people will say, ‘You haven’t understood.”’

He said the EU should only take on new tasks when "really necessary" .

President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker Credit: Carl Court/Getty Images

“In line with the British phrase ‘First things first,’ we should concentrate on the things that are really necessary and possible,” he said, saying it should focus on “flexible, pragmatic measures”.

Meanwhile, the European Commission president said it is "common sense" for Brits to stay in the EU.

Jean-Claude Juncker said: "I hope that the British will be led by common sense, because common sense is a British virtue."

"Without Britain, the European Union would no longer be complete - without the British pragmatism, the down to earth, no-nonsense approach, the British are very often improving the European Union. It would not change its real nature, but there would be a missing element."  

A campaigner waves a balloon featuring a British Union Flag Credit: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg

Brexit could have 'significant economic repercussions'

The chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve says that the upcoming vote in Britain over leaving the European Union "could have significant economic repercussions."

The Federal Reserve building in Washington Credit: David Coleman / Alamy

In delivering a twice-a-year economic report to Congress on Tuesday, Janet Yellen highlighted Thursday's British vote as a key source of uncertainty that would require the central bank to proceed cautiously as it looks to lift interest rates to more normal levels.

The Fed had until recently been expected to raise rates again in June, following a first hike in December since before the global financial crisis, but held off amid weaker economic data and concern over the British vote.

Some private economists believe the central bank might raise rates at its next meeting on July 26-27 - if markets are not roiled by Britain's vote.

Farage poster reported to police 

Speaking at UNISON’s annual conference in Brighton today (Tuesday) UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “When Nigel Farage unveiled his racist poster, which looked for all the world like the Nazi propaganda of yesteryear, UNISON reported him to the Metropolitan Police for inciting racial hatred in what looks like a blatant breach of UK race laws.

The controversial poster 

Weather could boost Leave campaign 

The Met Office is predicting that thunder storms are likely to descend on the UK on polling day in a washout that could boost the leave campaign.

Weather forecasters have issued a yellow warning for rain and localised flooding in the south east during the day on Thursday, when millions of voters are expected to go to the polls.

The wet outlook, which also extends to the north west of the country, could boost the Leave campaign, which is most likely to benefit from a low turnout on the day according to polling experts YouGov.

Lightening  Credit: GETTY

Forecasters are predicting the weather will turn "warm and humid" in the south east on Thursday, adding there could be "heavy, perhaps thundery downpours" which will clear by Friday.

A yellow warning for Greater London and the south east states: " Although many areas will probably miss them, scattered but potentially intense thundery downpours seem likely to affect parts of the warning area from late Wednesday and through Thursday.

"Please be aware of possible localised medium impacts from either flooding or frequent lightning."

 Lawrence Dallaglio and Paula Radcliffe back Remain 

Nearly 50 sports stars and industry figures, including Lawrence Dallaglio, Paula Radcliffe, Martin Glenn, Colin Graves and Neil Lennon, have today signed a letter urging Britain to stay in the EU by arguing that “we are stronger working together”.  

Lawrence Dallaglio, Credit: PA

The list of signatories also features Kyran Bracken, Bobby George, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Greg Dyke, Peter Coates, Steve Cram, Neville Southall, Ben Ainslie and Daniel Levy.  

Paula Radcliffe Credit: Getty Images 

The letter comes on the same day that David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have both thrown their support behind the campaign to keep Britain in the EU.

Tomorrow's take on the EU debate 

ADAMS

Young people can win this referendum

Tim Farron has made an 11th hour plea to young people to win the European Referendum for the Remain side.

Tim Farron said: “Young people are overwhelmingly in favour of remaining, and it is their future that is most at stake. But opinion polls also say they are the least likely age group to vote.

“To live in a prosperous, united and green Europe of opportunity, it is vital that young people vote. It is down to them.

“A vote to leave on Thursday would put our country in the hands of those who want a nastier yesterday, turning our backs on the world’s biggest market and on decisions we have taken together to protect our environment. We have to build Britain ready for the future, not the past.

“I believe in cooperation, I believe in young people and I believe in tomorrow. There are countless opportunities open to us if we back our place in the world. That is why I urge everyone – but especially young people - to vote ‘Remain’.”

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron  Credit: Getty Images /Christopher Furlong

ECB ready to intervene after Brexit vote 

The European Central Bank is ready to intervene with "all instruments" in the event of Brexit, its president said.

Mr Draghi said the ECB "is ready for all contingencies following the U.K.'s EU referendum" amid fears it could cause turmoil.

ECB is "ready to act by using all the instruments available within our mandate."

But he admitted it is hard to forecast the impact.

He told MEPs:  "It's very difficult to foresee the impact and the various dimensions in which the UK vote would impact on the markets and on economies of eurozone. 

"We're trying to be ready to cope with all possible contingencies. It's very, very difficult to more precise than that. We've done all preparation that is necessary now."

Report from Matthew Holehouse in Brussels

Pro-Brexit flags Credit: AFP/Chris J Ratcliffe

Easyjet founder says cost of flights could increase after Brexit

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has claimed it is "very possible" that flights between the UK and Europe would be more expensive following a Leave vote in the EU referendum.

The Greek-born entrepreneur warned that Brexit may lead to more restrictions on airlines, which would reduce competition.

Sir Stelios founded easyJet in 1995 with two planes flying from Luton to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and remains the low-cost carrier's largest shareholder.

Holidaymakers on a Malaga to Newcastle easyJet flight Credit:  Iain Buist

He said the single market for aviation created by the EU in the early 1990s gave him the opportunity to "help start the low fares airline revolution".

The 49-year-old went on: "It is certainly not my place to tell people how to vote, but it is very possible that - in a post-Brexit Europe - a more restrictive aviation environment would mean fewer flights from the UK to Europe and hence less competition between airlines.

Passengers check in to an easyjet flight 

"That in turn would mean higher air fares so that the price of a family holiday to the Med will go back up again to levels last seen in the 1980s.

"An open skies policy in Europe has been good for travellers, good for airline employees and, yes, good for shareholders. Let's keep it that way."

EU must change course whether or not Britain goes, 

The European Union must change whether Britain votes to stay in or to leave the bloc in its referendum on Thursday, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Tuesday.

"Europe is not in good shape," Mr Schaeuble told an economics conference in Berlin.

The veteran German politician hoped Britain would vote to remain in the bloc, but said whatever the result of the referendum, "we won't be able to go on as we have done, otherwise people will say 'they haven't understood'."

"Britain is an important market for the German economy and a British exit would cause considerable damage," he added.

Report from Matthew Holehouse in Brussels 

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble Credit: EPA

Johnson and Gove preparing to lose referendum and blame Farage 

We're in the final stage of the referendum and the two senior politicians in Vote Leave, Michael Give and Boris Johnson, are deliberately talking up the divisions in the Leave side, quite intentionally picking a fight with Mr Farage, writes James Kirkup.

Why? I am not suggesting here that Mr Johnson and Mr Gove think they are going to lose the referendum: they will, of course, say they are confident and fighting for every vote. 

But they'd be mad not to admit the possibility of defeat, and reckless not to prepare for that possibility. And distancing yourself from Nigel Farage and his toxic brand of politics looks like a very sensible way for Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to prepare to lose the EU referendum. 

Read James' full piece here 

Boris Johnson MP and Michael Gove MP Credit: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

Corbyn: PM's 'grotesque' council cuts have exacerbated impact of migration

More from Ben Riley-Smith, who has been watching Jeremy Corbyn at a pro-EU Labour rally in Manchester. David Cameron's "grotesque" council funding cuts have increased the pressure on public services from migration, Jeremy Corbyn had said.

The Labour leader said the "difficulties and shortages" caused by immigration in some communities have been exacerbated by repeated cuts to the local government budget.

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The comments could prove unhelpful as Mr Cameron - who like Mr Corbyn backs an In vote at the referendum - attempts to convince voters he can control the impact of migration while staying in the EU.

Council representatives have recently warned that the government's reforms - which aim to end central funding and give local authorities more tax-raising powers - could impact frontline services by creating a financial black hole.

Challenged on his comments this weekend that there should be no upper limit to migration, Mr Corbyn said during a Q&A that he knew communities were seeing "difficulties and shortages" linked to migration.

Leader of the British Labour Party Credit: EPA/JON SUPER

He said: "There are two causes of this. One is the underfunding of local authorities in the poorest areas of this country. [There are] grotesque levels of underfunding in local government, all the cuts that have taken place as a result of that.

"And secondly, the need for a migrant impact fund where there are special needs.

That's why we're calling for its reintroduction. Now I will continue to call for its reintroduction and will be raising the issue with the government again and again."

Rio Ferdinand backs Remain campaign 

Beckham's former Manchester United and England team-mate Rio Ferdinand has also backed a vote to Remain.

Ferdinand, who has spoken out against racism, said "I haven't liked what I've seen" from the Leave campaign.

"I think all the focus on immigration has been a real shame. I don't want Britain to become an angry and mean-spirited country.

"I think there's a danger that, if Leave wins, it'll be an endorsement of the idea that it's OK to blame all our problems on foreigners."

Ferdinand wrote on his Facebook page that it would be the first time he had exercised his right to vote.

"Thursday will be the first time I've ever been motivated to vote in an election. That's how seriously I'm taking this.

A supporter of the "Britain Stronger IN Europe" campaigns in the lead up to the EU referendum Credit: REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

"Because the question about our future in Europe isn't about Conservative versus Labour; it's not about which bunch of politicians we want running the country.

"It's much bigger than that. It's not about the next five years; it's about the next 50. Probably even longer.

"It's about the sort of country our kids are going to grow up in, and how the rest of the world will look at Britain from now on.

Rio Ferdinand Credit: PA

"And from all I've heard on both sides of this debate, I think our country is at a pretty important fork in the road, and the decision we make could take us to very different places."

He said Brexit would result in fewer opportunities for his three children and "make their world smaller".

Ferdinand added that Britain was best working as part of a "team" in Europe.

PM's statement 'rather weird' 

Steve Hilton, the Prime Minister's former strategy guru, has told the BBC he believes David Cameron was “rather an amazing thing to hear”.

He said: "What you just saw from the prime minister was an admission that they’ve lost the economic argument, they’ve lost the argument on immigration, so he’s being wheeled out by rather panicky spin doctors to try to change the subject."

He says there was "nothing new in what he said" and "the argument overall" in the EU referendum campaign "is we should be self-governing country".

That is the "argument that [the Remain side] are losing, and that's why you saw that rather weird statement from the prime minister just now", he says. 

Steve Hilton and David Cameron

Cameron: Brits don’t quit

David Cameron has appeared outside No 10. 

"Brits don’t quit", he says. "We get involved, we take a lead, we get things done. If we left, they would be making decisions about us, without us."

Cameron says he wants to take "a pause" and make a personal plea to the nation about this important decision. 

He says our membership of the EU "helps" him to keep Britain safe and "my main responsibility is to keep you safe".

 He says when we are part of these institutions we have a bigger place in the world. 

"When we are in these organisations we become a bigger force in the World with a bigger influence.

"In the European Union, with 27 other countries behind us, we can take a stronger lead", he says. 

"Above all its about our economy", he says. 

"It will be stronger if we stay, it will be weaker if we leave."

The Prime Minister adds: "In the short term facing recession, in the medium term a decade of uncertainty, in the long term living with fewer jobs lower I want to speak very directly to those of my generation and older.

I know Europe isn't perfect. That's why we negotiated and enhanced our status.We have the best of both Worlds.

"So as you take this decision whether to remain or leave think about the hopes and dreams of your children and grandchildren.

"Their chances to work and travel rests on this outcome. They can't undo the decision we take. If we vote out that's it, we will leave Europe for good.

"The next generation will have to live with the consequences far longer than the rest of us."

David Cameron to make EU statement outside No 10

Lord Lamont hits out at George Soros 

Commenting on claims by George Soros about leaving the European Union, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lamont of Lerwick, said: "The devaluation of sterling in September 1992 didn't do the UK economy any harm, far from it. Nor would a fall in the pound this time necessarily be a disaster.

"The key difference  between now and 1992 is that today the pound is floating and any devaluation could be self-correcting and temporary."

Former Cabinet Minister Lord Norman Lamont Credit:  Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Boris: I'm 'profoundly unhappy' with Farage poster

Boris Johnson says he's"profoundly unhappy" with Nigel Farage's controversial immigration poster and he doesn't want the votes of the far right.

This video content is no longer available
To watch The Telegraph's latest video content please visit youtube.com/telegraph

Farage denies he has 'toned down' campaign  

Nigel Farage denied he has toned down campaigning as he unveiled his latest anti-EU poster bemoaning a lack of school places.

The Ukip leader stood next to a giant billboard headlined "The school over-run", which added: "Last year, nearly one in four primary schools were full or oversubscribed."

It finished with the claim that the EU has "failed us all", with a message to voters to "take back control of our borders".

Mr Farage unveiled the latest Ukip Brexit poster in Clacton, Essex, days after causing controversy with another carrying the slogan "Breaking Point" and showing a line of refugees moving through Slovenia to Croatia.

Supporters of Vote Leave criticised the anti-EU poster and distanced the official Brexit campaign from it.

Corbyn: Leave's 'divisive campaign deserves to lose'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says Leave's "divisive campaign deserves to lose", attacking Nigel Farage's "disgusting poster and the xenophobic message he puts forward". 

This video content is no longer available
To watch The Telegraph's latest video content please visit youtube.com/telegraph

Campaigns' latest funding published

The Remain campaign received £2.9m in donations and loans in the Electoral Commission's third pre-poll report which covers the period from 13 May to 9 June.

While the majority of this comes from the designated lead campaigner, The In Campaign Ltd, there was also an £8,000 donation from Eddie Izzard.

Meanwhile, the Leave campaign gained more money than Remain in this period - receiving £3.6m in donations and loans reported to the Electoral Commission.

The majority of this was from Vote Leave Limited, the designated leave campaigner.

Over £6.4 million in donations to registered campaigners at the EU Referendum have been reported to the Electoral Commission in this third pre-poll report.

Tim Peake won't declare EU referendum intentions 

Has Osborne's punishment Budget terrified Britain into Remaining?

George Osborne knew he would anger Brexiteers by unveiling a £30 billion package of tax rises and spending cuts he insisted would be needed if Britain left the European Union, writes Asa Bennett.

Outrage from Tory Leavers would be worthwhile for him if the resulting furore ensured voters noticed, baulked at Brexit and sought refuge in the Remain camp.

Chancellor George Osborne Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

The polls have since then picked up a clear shift in public opinion Remain-wards, suggesting something has been driving voters away from the Brexit brink. 

The Chancellor's proposal was quickly derided as a "dead cat Budget", but his critics may have helped him terrify voters by responding how he hoped they would: by taking it seriously. 

Read Asa's full article here

Corbyn backs snap election

Britain could face a snap general election after the EU referendum, Jeremy Corbyn has said as he suggested Labour would back moves to hold a vote before 2020.

The Labour leader said the Tories may move to repeal the Fixed-Term Parliament Act which dictates that elections are held every five years. Mr Corbyn added that his party would be "very, very ready" to fight an election before 2020 in a clear hint that he would back such a move.

The comments are significant because two thirds of MPs would need to support the change for it to pass. That means the Tories alone would not be able to force through a snap election but could do so with Labour's support.

There has been speculation that the Conservatives may want to hold an early election to ease Tory tensions after the referendum and gain the public's backing for a new party leader.

It comes after David Cameron admitted during the last election campaign that he will not seek a third term in office, leading critics to say he is a "lame duck prime minister".

Baby Grace Kiely aged six months wears a Labour In badge  Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Appearing in Manchester for a pro-EU rally, Mr Corbyn was asked by The Telegraph whether he thought there was a "genuine" chance of an early vote after the referendum.

Mr Corbyn replied: "If the Government can't continue forever and it ends up deciding it needs to navigate around the Fixed Term Parliaments Act in order to have a general election a little sooner, all I have got to say is we are very, very ready for that.” He earlier had said the country could go to the polls before 2020.

Report from Ben Riley-Smith 

Cameron says Steve Hilton is 'simply not right'

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, the Prime Minister said Mr Hilton's claims that he was told four years ago his immigration target was 'impossible', is “simply not right”.

He said: “Actually when Steve Hilton left Downing Street in 2012, net immigration had actually fallen quite substantially and it got down to 154,000, so not far away from the ambition that I set.

Lorraine Kelly and David Cameron Credit: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shuttersto​ck

“But look there are good ways of controlling immigration and my welfare break, saying that people who come and work here, have to work here for four years before they get full access to our welfare system, that's a good way, but pulling out of the single market, wrecking our economy, that is a bad way.”

Paul Kirby, who was head of the Downing Street policy unit in 2012, also rejected the claim on Twitter this morning.

Daily Telegraph backs Brexit 

MATT

Nicola Sturgeon 'sickened' by behaviour of Leave 

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "sickened" by some of the behaviour form the Leave campaign and branded Nigel Farage's controversial poster "vile and racist". 

Answering questions on Mumsnet the Scottish First Minister said: "People have concerns about the impact of immigration, but my argument is that we should deal with the impact of inward migration, by investing in our public services. 

"This is the debate we should be having; not one where people’s legitimate concerns are exploited in a way that is designed to encourage people to turn inwards. That’s what I think some of the Leave leadership has been doing - and it’s deeply regrettable.

"I’ve been sickened by the behaviour of some in particular within the Leave campaign. The poster that Nigel Farage unveiled last week, for example, was vile and racist."

She has also revealed her favour biscuit - a Tunnock's caramel wafer. 

Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon Credit: BuzzFeed News/Facebook via Getty Images

Corbyn: We will campaign as never before in honour of Jo Cox

The Labour leader is in Manchester where he says the Party will campaign as never before in honour of the tragic murder of Jo Cox MP. 

He says her death was an "attack on our democracy".

He says a vote for Brexit would boost Nigel Farage and those who support the “disgusting” Ukip Brexit poster he produced last week.

"We are better than that, we are stronger than that, and united we can defeat the threats that they are posing to every family in this country", he says.

Mr Corbyn says that immigration has saved the NHS: "Far from being a burden on the NHS it is actually migrant workers that are saving it."

Concluding: "Vote for Remain to ensure better standards of living for all of us and a real sense of human rights and humanity for all of us across the continent."

 In the Q and A he says Labour are "very, very ready" for  snap general election if the COnservative party are so divided they can no longer govern. 

"The only way to stop a race to the bottom on jobs and wages" is to work together across Europe, he adds.

Alan Johnson references Churchill and warns of Brexit 'turmoil'

"Jeremy and I as baby boomers are part of the first generation of men who were not sent off to fight a war on European soil", says Alan Johnson in Manchester.

"Two World Wars began on our continent in the first 40 years of the 20th Century. The House of Commons Library tell me there were 56 wars in Europe during the 19th Century and periodically for a 1000 years before, Europeans slaughtered one another as a way of settling their differences.

"Since the European Coal and Steel Community was created out of the carnage of World War Two, in Churchill’s famous phrase, ‘Jaw-Jaw has replaced War-War’ and countries that hardly knew free speech, democracy and the rule of law have been welcomed into an institution where those rights are enshrined under Article 6 of its constitution.

"Leaving the EU is not about gaining control, it’s about losing control and replacing it with turmoil and uncertainty."

Report from Ben Riley-Smith

Former Foreign Secretary Alan Johnson Credit:  Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Theresa May seeks to repeal EU court ruling 

Today, the Home Secretary is asking the UK Supreme Court to overturn a ruling of the Court of Appeal which would keep a convicted killer in the UK because of EU law.

Commenting, Dominic Raab MP said: ‘This case shines a light on the skewed moral compass at the heart of EU rules on free movement.

"An EU national convicted of brutally killing someone in this country, by hammering and strangling them to death, can't be removed on the basis of the conviction by a UK court.

"It's dangerous and undemocratic. The Prime Minister is absolutely right to describe the legal position as 'complete madness'.

"The only way to restore some sanity is to vote leave and take back control of our borders on 23 June."

Dominic Raab Credit: EPA/WILL OLIVER

 

Waitrose shoppers lean towards Remain 

Corbyn arrives in Manchester 

Ben Riley-Smith, our political correspondent, is in Manchester for Labour's pro-EU rally.

Jeremy Corbyn has come to Manchester to make the case for staying in the EU with both campaigns saying Labour voters could prove crucial in the referendum.

The Labour leader is expected to hammer home his left-wing message for staying in the EU by pointing to protections of workers' rights and wages. Alan Johnson, the former Labour home secretary once touted as a future leader, will give the warm-up speech at the pro-EU rally in Manchester's People's History Museum any minute now. 

Andy Burnham, the current shadow home secretary who is running to become Labour's candidate for Manchester mayor, is also present. Mr Corbyn is expected to say: “These next hours will shape Britain’s future for years to come.

“For all the arguments of recent weeks, this Thursday's decision can be boiled down to one crucial question: what’s best for jobs in Britain, rights at work and our future prosperity?  “ On 23rd June  we are faced with a choice: do we remain to protect jobs and prosperity in Britain that depend on trade with Europe?

Or do we step into an unknown future with Leave, where a Tory-led Brexit risks economic recovery and threatens a bonfire of employment rights? 

“A vote for remain is a vote to put our economy first. On Thursday join me in voting remain to protect jobs and rights at work.”

Hilton: PM knows we can't meet immigration targets

 David Cameron's former policy guru Steve Hilton says the Prime Minister has known for years that he cannot meet the immigration targets he keeps setting.

"It's not actually possible for the British government to control the number of people who want to come and live and work here from the rest of the EU," he said.

"In order to try and meet the pledges that have been made to control the overall level of immigration, we have to clamp down on people coming here from other parts of the world, who could make a really big contribution to our economy."

This video content is no longer available
To watch The Telegraph's latest video content please visit youtube.com/telegraph

Planes take Remain campaign to the skies 

Labour have announced they have hired two planes that will be carrying a Labour Remain banner over Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool and London on Wednesday and Thursday.

In a release they say they have printed 20million leaflets, paid for the delivery of 3million leaflets, posted over 5million direct mail letters and poured over £1 million into Facebook and online advertising and will this week reach over 30million people.

They have also paid for adverts in the Daily Mirror, Evening Standard, Metro, Manchester Evening news and over 30 other regional and local titles for this week.

The Party have raised over £4 million and will be spending to near the legal limit of £5 million- double what they thought was possible when the campaign started.

Labour leave campaign  Credit:  LEON NEAL/AFP

Final Remain poster unveiled 

Vote Remain poster Credit: M&C Saatchi

The final poster for Britain Stronger in Europe has been unveiled by M&C Saatchi.   

The  poster depicts stairs heading up to an open door that leads into darkness with the line ‘Leave, and there’s no going back’.

Don’t forget to vote on Thursday, says Emma Watson

Public said in May they would trust Beckham on referendum 

Here is what Deborah Mattinson, once a pollster for Gordon Brown and now a strategy consultant, said in the Economist in May.

"Many British people still feel disconnected from the campaign. Ms Mattinson found many people within her focus groups had no idea what the term "Brexit" meant.

"They wanted facts to help them determine their decision, but were distrustful of those facts when uttered by politicians.

"They know that big business favours Remain but they want to know how they will individually be affected.

"Asked for people they would trust for their opinions on the issue, they suggested David Beckham and the Queen."

David Beckham Credit:  Gavin Bond/Camera Press

Brexit would be 'detrimental' to the UK

One of Asia's richest men, Li Ka-shing, has come out in favour of Britain remaining in the European Union, warning that a vote to leave would be "detrimental to the UK".

Mr Li, who has significant business interests in Britain, told Bloomberg TV: "Of course, I hope that the UK doesn't leave the EU.

"If Brexit happens, it will be detrimental to the UK and it will have a negative impact to the whole of Europe."

The 87-year-old billionaire's portfolio of UK investments includes mobile operator Three, Superdrug and Northumbrian Water.

Mr Li has previously said that he would be forced to scale back investment in Britain if the country were to vote to leave the EU on Thursday.

Asia’s richest man, Li Ka-shing

Cameron welcomes Beckham backing Remain 

David Cameron welcomed Beckham's support, telling ITV's Lorraine show: "There was a very moving statement today from David Beckham talking about his children and saying how effectively, what he said to me was, 'You can't win in Europe, unless you're on the pitch'.

"And that's true. I worry about that as Prime Minister, I know that we sit around the table and make decisions about security and safety and fighting terrorism and all the rest of it, fighting climate change.

"And if we leave they don't stop meeting and making decisions that affect us, but they'll be making decisions about us but without us in the room and that would be bad for Britain."

David Cameron  Credit: Ken McKay-ITV-REX-Shutterst

Boris claims Downing Street pressuring business 

Downing Street is "leaning on" business leaders to stop them from supporting Brexit by offering them Government contracts or honours, Boris Johnson has suggested. 

The Mayor of London said that a Downing Street "operation" is being used to put "pressure" on business leaders to ensure there support in the referendum campaign.

He said: "I can't tell you the pressure Project Fear and Remain not to articulate their views. Everyone has an interest one way or another keeping friendly with Government. 

"I do not wish in any way to be disparaging or critical of my friends in Government but it is well known there is an operation in Downing Street. You will get a call from a young man. 

"They will say we want to continue to have contracts with you. It's very important that you have friendly relations. There's an honours system. And that's how it happens. There's a bit of leaning on."

The leading Leave campaigner also tried to play down the significance of Beckham's announcement, pointing out that the Brexit side too had backing from former England stars.

Challenged on LBC radio over whether the Beckham declaration was a blow, the former mayor of London came back: "Sol Campbell. John Barnes."

He said he didn't agree with the 'Black Friday' warning from George Soros, but will "of course" apologise if there is a recession in the wake of a Brexit.

 "The people I listen to are not people like George Soros, who speculate on market movements - that's how he makes his money", he said.

"I listen to people like Anthony Bamford of JCB, the biggest private manufacturer in this country."

Nigel Farage 

He added that he was profoundly unhappy” with the Ukip “Breaking point” poster.

I did not like it. It seemed to saying that these were bad people coming to our country. That seemed to be the message. And I felt profoundly unhappy with it.

Asked about rumours that Mr Farage might have a place in a Johnson government, the former London mayor appeared to renounce any ambition to be prime minister, telling LBC radio: "There's never going to be such a thing. This is not about me. This is about a fundamental decision that the British people have to make."

Boris Johnson taking part in a debate in London  Credit: DAVID ROSE/AFP

Mr Johnson dismissed Chancellor George Osborne's claims that the Government has not made plans for the possibility of a Leave vote on June 23.

"It may be that he personally doesn't have a plan, but I actually find it incredible with the polls where they are that the British Government, the Cabinet Secretary, the whole of the civil service is not actively working on it," he said. "I'm sure they are working on some sensible plans."

Corbyn: Don't Blame Me For Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn has insisted that he will not take the blame if Britain leaves the European Union despite accusations from his own MPs that he has failed to do enough to support the campaign.

The Labour leader, who is a lifelong eurosceptic, admitted that “there may well be” a vote to leave the European Union and said that “whatever the result we’ve got to work with it”.

Mr Corbyn also attacked plans for an EU trade deal with the US, which has been hailed by David Cameron and George Osborne as a reason for staying in.

Jeremy Corbyn outside the BBC Studios in Central London Credit: Nick Edwards

Race remains 'uncertain' and will 'come down to the wire'

 Sir Lynton Crosby warns in today’s paper that the race remains “uncertain” and will “come down to the wire”.

In today's paper he points out that Leave has been making steady improvements in a variety of areas, being seen increasingly well on issues like the economy and being credible, but has still “failed the quash the almost ubiquitous perception that it is the riskier of the two options.

"The referendum outcome is uncertain. I wish Britain the best."

 Sir Lynton Crosby Credit:  Roger Askew/REX Shutterstock

Michael Gove refuses to rule out leaving Cabinet 

Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, has refused to rule out quitting the Cabinet if Britain votes to stay in the EU this week. 

Speaking on the Today programme this morning, he said: "I will reflect and I will decide what is the best course for me”.

 Michael Gove Credit: Paul Grover for the Telegraph

Questioned on George Soros's Black Friday warning if we vote for Brexit, he describes him as "an advocate of the single currency [and] an advocate of greater European integration.

"If economic forecasters were as reliable as doctors or airline pilots, everyone would be billionaires."

Adding: If we vote to Leave, they will follow the money and that would mean that they will see it was in their interests to cut a good deal with us on trade and on other matters as well."

"It's not until we actually leave the European Union that we can have full control over the number of people who come here," he says.

Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson (L) and Britain's Secretary of State for Justice Michael Gove pose at a Vote Leave rally  Credit: REUTERS/Neil Hall

When pushed, Mr Gove says that the only people he wants to "send home" are "those who are criminals or terrorists", while he wants to stop criminals and people "who might be coming here to use public services without contributing to the economy" from coming to the UK.

He says he "believed and hoped that we would be able to secure a deal with Europe that would enable us to amend free movement" and blames the "other nations of Europe" for preventing Mr Cameron from securing this deal. 

Beckham backs Remain

David Beckham today said he will be voting for Remain in the EU Referendum. 

He says in a statement: ""I'm passionate about my country and whatever the result of Thursday's referendum, we will always be Great. 

"Each side has the right to their opinion and that should always be respected whatever the outcome of the European Referendum.

David Beckam Credit: AP

"I played my best years at my boyhood club, Manchester United.  I grew up with a core group of young British players that included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville Brothers. 

"Added to that was an experienced group of older British players such as Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce and Paul Ince.

"Now that team might have gone on to win trophies but we were a better and more successful team because of a Danish goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, the leadership of an Irishman Roy Keane and the skill of a Frenchman in Eric Cantona.

"I was also privileged to play and live in Madrid, Milan and Paris with teammates from all around Europe and the world.

"Those great European cities and their passionate fans welcomed me and my family and gave us the opportunity to enjoy their unique and inspiring cultures and people.

"We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong.  For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone.

David Beckham 

"For these reasons I am voting to Remain."

Responding to the announcement, Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary and Brexit campaigner, told the BBC: "Sol Campbell is for Leave, as indeed is John Barnes."

Net migration was 'an internal Conservative debate'

Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister, has been asked about David Cameron's net migration target on the Today programme.

Asked if he agreed the Prime Minister had been told it was an "impossible" target, he says: "It wasn't even a government target. It was an internal Conservative debate."

He says he disagreed with the Tories at the time "because a net immigration target relies just as much on something you can't control - that is people leaving - as on people coming in".

He adds that migration is a fact of live and that if you didn't have the European Union, "you would have to invent something pretty close to it."

Former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

EU Referendum: Live Q&A 

Soros warns of 'Black Friday' if Britain leaves EU

George Soros , the billionaire currency trader, has warned a vote to Leave the EU will trigger a plunge in the pound greater than Black Wednesday - but without the benefits seen after the crisis that made him a fortune.

The veteran financier said he was certain sterling would fall steeply and quickly should voters back Brexit on Thursday, leading to a "Black Friday" scenario more immediate and dramatic than when Britain crashed out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in the 1990s.

Union Jack flags fly in front of The Houses of Parliament Credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

However, unlike the departure then, there would be none of the benefits to the economy seen by a devalued pound and most voters will be left "considerably poorer", he predicted.

Mr Soros said it was "wishful thinking" by many that a vote to Leave would have little effect on their personal finances, with only a lucky few City speculators in line to get rich on such a move.

His intervention comes as the value of sterling climbed on Monday after polls showed the field between Remain and Leave had narrowed.

London commuters

Cameron told years ago immigration target was 'impossible'

This morning the Daily Mail lead on the story that David Cameron was told four years ago his immigration target was "impossible" while Britain is in the EU - but continued to make the promise.

Steve Hilton, the Prime Minister's former strategy guru, has claimed Whitehall officials told Mr Cameron that it was "impossible" for the Government to meet its immigration promises while Britain remained in the EU.

Steve Hilton

 He says civil servants said "directly and explicitly" that the pledge to reduce net migrations to the tens of thousands would fail.

Just weeks ago Mr Cameron insisted he stuck by his "ambition" of bringing net migration into the UK - which last month hit 333,000 - below 100,000.

Mr Hilton said the premier reaffirmed his commitment to target in the 2015 general election even though he "had been told was undeliverable".

Prime Minister David Cameron

Writing in The Daily Mail, the Leave campaigner recalled the details of a meeting in the final months of his time as director of strategy.

He said: "We were told, directly and explicitly, that it was impossible for the Government to meet its immigration target as long as we remained members of the EU, which of course insists on the free movement of people within it."

Mr Hilton added: "You don't need to sit in a 'stock take' meeting at No 10 Downing Street to see the obvious truth: our immigration system is completely broken, and as long as we're in the EU, our elected governments are powerless to fix it.

Passport control at Gatwick Airport Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

"In the 2015 Conservative manifesto, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to the immigration target he had been told was undeliverable.

"When I saw that, I assumed this was either because he was certain he could negotiate a solution within the EU, or was assuming we would leave.

"For the Government to continue to make the promise today, after no negotiated solution was achieved and while campaigning to stay, is, I think, what (Michael) Gove and (Boris) Johnson meant when they described this as corrosive of trust in politics."

Downing Street have said they do not recognise the claims. 

Remain surge back into the lead

Good Morning, 

The European Union referendum will “come down to the wire” following a surge of support among those certain to back Remain in the final days of the campaign, David Cameron’s election strategist says.

This video content is no longer available
To watch The Telegraph's latest video content please visit youtube.com/telegraph

Writing in The Daily Telegraph just three days before the country goes to the polls, Sir Lynton Crosby says the result of the In-Out referendum is still “uncertain” despite the boost for Remain.

His comments come in an analysis of a poll for this newspaper which shows that amongst definite voters, the Prime Minister’s Remain campaign now has a 7-point lead, with 53 per cent of the vote compared to Leave’s 46 per cent.

Last week, Leave was one point ahead in the poll, its first lead since March.

However, amongst all British voters, Remain has just a 2-point lead on 49 per cent of the vote compared to Leave on 47 per cent, the smallest the gap has been since these polls began in March.

License this content