Blair ‘worried’ UK will exit the EU via a referendum

In an interview for German newspaper 'Die Zeit' Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, expressed his worry about a potential referendum concerning leaving the European Union by the United Kingdom.

Mr Blair said also that the transfer of competences to the European Union must result in more democratic legitimacy and that 'Britain must play a strong role in this'.

The prospect of Britain leaving the European Union was also expressed by the Asian bank Nomura.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The Conservative Party and Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-conservative-party-and-europe-2/

ESO: Background information: English nationalism and Euroscepticism. Losing the peace http://www.europeansources.info/record/english-nationalism-and-euroscepticism-losing-the-peace/

ESO: Background information: Mandelson to call for referendum on EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/mandelson-to-call-for-referendum-on-eu/

EUObserver, 10.8.12: Prepare for UK exit from EU, Asian bank warns http://euobserver.com/political/117204

EUObserver, 14.8.12: Grexit or Brexit - is Britain going to leave the EU? http://euobserver.com/political/117235

EUObserver, 14.8.12: Poll: Almost half of Brits want to leave the EU http://euobserver.com/institutional/117234

EurActiv, 31.10.12: Blair calls for directly elected European president, referendum http://www.euractiv.com/uk-europe/blair-calls-directly-elected-eur-news-515779

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