Tony Blair and John Major warn Brexit could tear UK apart

Reports of, and reaction to, a speech by two former United Kingdom Prime Ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair in Derry on the 9 June 2016, in which they warned that a vote to leave the EU would 'jeopardise the unity' of the UK. Both had been who were instrumental in the peace process in Northern Ireland.

They suggested a Leave vote might re-open Scotland's independence issue and put Northern Ireland's 'future at risk' by threatening its current stability.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 09.06.16: Major and Blair say an EU exit could split the UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36486016

The Guardian, 09.06.16: Tony Blair and John Major: Brexit would close Irish border http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/09/tony-blair-and-john-major-brexit-would-close-irish-border

ESO: Background information: Vote Leave’s position on EU and Irish citizens post-Brexit raises more questions than it answers http://www.europeansources.info/record/vote-leaves-position-on-eu-and-irish-citizens-post-brexit-raises-more-questions-than-it-answers/

The Guardian, 04.06.16: Bertie Ahern: UK would have to reimpose Irish border after Brexit http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/04/bertie-ahern-uk-reimpose-irish-border-after-brexit-eu-northern-ireland

ESO: Background information: NI stronger, safer and better off in a reformed EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-ni-stronger-safer-and-better-off-in-a-reformed-eu/

ESO: Background information: In or out of the EU, Britain faces more Scottish upheaval http://www.europeansources.info/record/in-or-out-of-the-eu-britain-faces-more-scottish-upheaval/

Blog: UK in a Changing Europe, 14.06.16: Could Brexit Lead to IndyRef2? http://ukandeu.ac.uk/could-brexit-lead-to-indyref2/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 21.06.16: Brexit, the English Revolt http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=63861

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