Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

Cameron makes last-minute appeal to Boris to campaign for Remain

David Cameron rehearsed many of his arguments about his deal on the Marr Show this morning, but he also made a fresh appeal to Boris Johnson to back the In side. He said:

‘To Boris, I would say to Boris what I say to everybody else which is we would be safer, we will be stronger, we will be better off inside the EU. I think the prospect of linking arms with Nigel Farage and George Galloway and taking a leap into the dark is the wrong step for our country and if Boris and others really care about being able to get things done in our world then the EU is one of the ways in which we get them done.’

This was a risky appeal, as now if the Mayor backs Out then it will be in spite of the Prime Minister’s last-minute pleading. Given Boris is said to have already decided what he’s doing, Cameron is setting himself up for a potential humiliation. 

What was also striking about the interview was that Cameron brought Nigel Farage up, clearly positioning the Ukip leader as head of the Out campaign. He would certainly much rather be debating Farage than Boris. 

SPECTATOR EVENT: EU REFERENDUM – THE BATTLE AHEAD

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Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman will be discussing the EU Referendum campaign campaign with pollster Ben Page from Ipsos Mori on Monday 21 March. Tickets, for subscribers only, are on sale now. To subscribe from £1 a week, click here.

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