Britain can still remain in EU, says former British PM Blair

Former British prime minister Tony Blair said Saturday that Britain could remain in the European Union (EU), despite its Brexit referendum vote.


In his biggest intervention yet in the Brexit saga, Blair has outlined his views in an article for his Institute for Global Change. This was followed by a series of high-profile media interviews.

Blair, a strong supporter of Britain remaining with the EU, said "It is absolutely necessary that it doesn't happen". Brexit, he said, is the biggest political decision since the Second World War.

According to media reports, Blair said EU leaders would be willing to change their rules on immigration and free movement to enable Britain to stay in the 28-nation trading and economic bloc. But pressed in interviews, he declined to identify the sources who had indicated which leaders he was referring to.

Blair said in interviews that the option of reversing Brexit must be kept on the table, claiming large numbers of the population do not back a so-called hard exit of the EU.

He suggested the will of the people may be changing as the difficulties of Brexit negotiations become apparent. Blair urged a proper debate over the different options, including remaining in a reformed EU.
 [china.org.cn/Xinhua]
16/7/17