Finally, Remainers have fessed up about ‘Project Fear’
Stuart Rose has admitted that the Remain campaign exaggerated the cost of Brexit.
Want to read spiked ad-free? Become a spiked supporter.
Stuart Rose has admitted that the Remain campaign exaggerated the economic cost of Brexit. Rose, of course, was chair of Britain Stronger in Europe – the official campaign fighting to keep Britain in the EU.
Back in 2016, in the run-up to the referendum, Rose’s campaign warned that a Leave result would trigger an immediate recession and British households would be £4,300 worse off.
‘It was Project Fear and it didn’t work.’
The head of Remain campaign Britain Stronger in Europe and former M&S CEO Stuart Rose tells @ITVJoel the economic dangers of Brexit were exaggeratedhttps://t.co/4LJJiO2DqRhttps://t.co/4LJJiO2DqR
— ITV News (@itvnews) June 10, 2021
But appearing on ITV this week, Rose acknowledged that, ‘it wasn’t going to be Armageddon the day we came out [of the EU]. Everyone wasn’t going to suddenly be out of work.’ Trying to terrify voters into backing Remain was ‘Project Fear’, he admitted.
This is not the first time Rose has let the truth slip. Back in 2016, Rose was asked by MPs what might happen to wages after Brexit. He acknowledged that they might actually rise – but that this was ‘not necessarily a good thing’. Not a good thing for the elites, perhaps.
The public was right to reject Project Fear.
Picture by: Getty.
This is what we're up against...
A media ecosystem dominated by a handful of billionaire owners, bad actors spreading disinformation online and the rich and powerful trying to stop us publishing stories. But we have you on our side. Supporters help to fund our journalism and those who choose All-access digital enjoy exclusive extras:
- Unlimited articles in our app and ad-free reading on all devices
- Exclusive newsletter and far fewer asks for support
- Full access to the Guardian Feast app
If you can, please support us on a monthly basis and make a big impact in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Only spiked supporters and patrons, who donate regularly to us, can comment on our articles.