British Prime Minister David Cameron warned during a speech Monday that Britain would raise the risk of war if it chooses to leave the European Union in a referendum vote scheduled for later this year.
Cameron gave the major speech Monday on national security as the so-called “Brexit” campaign winds to a close before the country votes June 23 on whether it wants to continue to be a member of the 28-nation alliance.
"Can we be so sure that peace and stability on our continent are assured beyond any shadow of doubt? Is that a risk worth taking? I would never be so rash as to make that assumption," he said.
He went on to argue that the EU had helped to quell violence in the past when countries had been “at each other’s throats for decades.”
“Isolationism has never served this country well,” he said.
Cameron also warned of potentially devastating economic consequences if Britain chooses to "turn its back" on the EU. According to Cameron, it would cost each household in Britain $6,200 (4,300 pounds) by 2030 should it leave the union.
“The evidence is clear - we'll be better off in, and poorer if we leave," he said.
Later Monday, former London Mayor Boris Johnson will give a speech to try and make the case for the country to break free from the EU.
Britons are decidedly split on the issue of whether to leave the EU. An average of the last six public opinion polls done by What UK Thinks indicates that voters are split firmly down the middle with 50 percent saying they would opt to leave and 50 percent saying they want to stay.
