Lord Rose: Leaving Europe is a leap in the dark

Lord Rose says leaving the EU would be a "leap in the dark" Credit: Pool

The new leader of the cross-party Britain Stronger in Europe campaign has claimed that leaving the EU would be a "leap in the dark" and a risk that is not worth taking.

Stating that it was "not in our national interest" to retreat from our position of influence in Europe and leave the EU former M&S boss Lord Rose launched the “in” campaign today by highlighting the financial risks that could come as a result of a British exit and warned "our economy would take a hit".

Suggesting that there must be "another way" he stated that the referendum on staying in Europe "is the most important choice facing Britain in a generation" and one which should not be taken lightly.

Urging the audience to "prove we can reform Europe from within" he also pointed out the monetary benefit to the public of being an EU member, including the CBI estimates that the nation's membership is worth £3,000 a year to every household before going on to present the negative impact a departure would have.

He said:

Speaking to ITV News, Lord Rose also revealed that he felt the UK's relationship with the EU was like a 'long marriage' and stated that like any long term relationship it was natural to "have your gripes" over things.

ITV News political correspondent Carl Dinnen reports: