Nicola Sturgeon seeks to make positive case for EU membership

Nicola Sturgeon will today make the positive case for membership of the EU, arguing that the benefits of membership go beyond access to the single market.

Speaking in London, the First Minister will stress “the solidarity, social protection and mutual support” brought by EU membership.

But Sturgeon’s speech comes on the same day the UK Government released new analysis, claiming an exit vote “could lead to up to a decade or more of uncertainty”.

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London mayor Boris Johnson responded in the Telegraph, accusing the In campaign of attempting “to provoke only one emotion in the breast of the British public and that is fear”.

The FM is expected to argue that it will be easier to reform the EU from within.

She will say: “I believe that we benefit from being part of the EU, and the EU benefits from having us a part of it.

“For more than 40 years, membership of the European Union has been good for the prosperity and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities across the country.

Sturgeon will add: “Having access to the European Single Market has removed barriers to trade and gives freedom to move capital, people, good and services – but the EU is not simply an economic union, it is so much more than that.

“Being part of the EU is also about solidarity, social protection and mutual support.

“This has become even more evident in the recent months, with independent members of the EU working collectively on pressing global challenges such as the movement of refugees and migrants, energy security and climate change. By working together within the EU, we can achieve far more and make a real difference to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.”

Johnson said: “The Remain camp clearly calculate that when it comes to the choice – between exit now, or an ever-more constricting entanglement – we will funk it; we won’t take the risk; we will stick with the devil we know. To encourage us in that decision, they are making a series of questionable assertions”.