Spooks Brexit warning: leaving the EU could harm security

It is the government's first duty - keeping us safe. But now two former spy chiefs have warned that leaving the EU could harm Britain's ability to protect itself. Baron Evans of Weardale the former director-general of MI5 and Sir John Sawyer - previously of MI6 - said Brexit could damage intelligence sharing. But this was rejected by Justice Secretary Michael Gove who said that information exchange between European nations wasn't working anyway and that Britain could take 'immediate steps' on leaving to improve security.

[ripmemes]

I can't beleive Britts fought and won the great war, but then joined the EU. Bye bye soverignty.

[bigissue]

ask the eu what harm they would suffer if the uk security forces did not give them information vote leave

[El-Tel-Terry.]

Britain is handicapped in the EU, it's not worked time to leave. It is time to look after our own. Vote leave people it's the biggest vote you will have in your life, let's take control of our destiny and with respect to our neighbours it's the only way forward. Don't let this scaremongering work....because that's all it is.

[nickbreen]

Us leavers must be in the majority judging by the sheer quantity of 'Brexit warnings'

[meandmymouth]

Of course there will be a price for leaving the EU but also what value we will gain from recovering our freedom to control our own borders and our own laws ? We found that out before in two world wars. Do we really need to learn that lesson again ? Brexit is the only answer.

[lffit]

The Brits want to do a runner let 'em go better off without, just a pain in the arse!

[Hosephification]

don't mean to sound disrespectful but the information is clearly working well considering the recent attacks across Europe

[greenwaterdragon]

who has channel 4 news in their pocket
£333, 000m a week would pay for more security on our borders

[greenwaterdragon]

who the people that are afraid they are There are Threats coming from everyone

[Sarcastix]

When the UK leaves Europe, Ireland will be in for a huge boost. As the only native English speaking country in Europe with links to the EU market and a special trading agreement with the UK, along with our 12% corporate tax rate, we'll get every US multinational company making Ireland their base

[henryborelli]

The competition between the BBC and Channel 4 over who can be the bigger pro-EU propaganda machine the past few months has been both entertaining and sad...

[ryantate]

Here's my full refutation of this video, please like if you agree.

Would Britain be restricted outside the EU?

Actually we are restricted WITHIN the EU, not empowered by it. You completely ignored the fact that we are restricted from making trade deals outside the EU. India is one of Britain's largest trade partners for example, yet we are unable to make trade deals with them because of the EU, not in spite of it. This means that Indian and British trade is damaged because of the EU.

If Britain were to leave the EU, wouldn't it still have to pay membership fees to be part of the EEA?

Quite probably. However, the 306 million Euros you talk about is an absolute pittance for a Western government. Even if EU contributions were as high as 1 billion pounds each year, that represents only 0.0014% of UK government expenditure.This fee is barely worth talking about.

What about trade regulations?

As for EU trade regulations into EU states, that's a given anyway. British exports already meet the requirements of EU regulations. These regulations are typically only a problem if you are a developing country trying to import into the EU. These regulations are only expensive if you are a developing country.

If Britain leaves the EU, won't it lose the ability to help influence EU trade regulations?

It never had that ability, even within the EU. Britain cannot participate in 'making rules' in the EU. The bulk of EU legislation comes from the European Commission; an entirely undemocratic institution that is completely unaccountable to anyone, let alone the British people. WE HAVE NO INFLUENCE ALREADY.

What if Britain entered a Bilateral Trade Deal? Wouldn't the EU enforce open borders as part of the EEA?

A Bilateral Trade Deal is unlikely for Britain. But even if it were instituted, the EU wouldn't enforce open borders in return for free trade. Britain represents 15.3% of EU GDP alone. If the EU is insane enough to try and enforce open borders with threats of tariffs on British trade like that, there is truly no hope for Britain in the EU. A government that is as detrimental as that does not  deserve anyone's support.

What about the migration crisis?

The EU's migration crisis was entirely self-inflicted. We are not responsible for clearing up their mess. There is no way the EU can enforce open borders with a newly-independent Britain. Also, Britain has historically been separated from EU migration as an Island. We are not part of Schengen for example, migrants have to show proof of ID when they enter.

The EU needs Britain to help shape policy, Britain can help move the EU in the right directions, right?

No. Again you're assuming Britain has any real stake in the decisions of the EU, it doesn't. The European Commission has no accountability, nor will it ever, because it has no rivals. National governments, leaders and peoples are entirely subservient to the decisions of the EU, not the other way around. We have no democratic influence in the European Commission, we cannot dispute EU legislation once its in place, let alone influence the internal structure of the EU.

Britain has no power in the EU, nor does any nation state.

This video is completely dishonest and manipulative, anyone who buys into these arguments needs to do some research.