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EU row: Cameron has 'low opinion of British people'

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has accused the Prime Minister of having "a low opinion of the British people" by downplaying the UK's prospects if it left the EU.

It comes after a Sunday newspaper column in which David Cameron accused MPs backing an EU exit of wanting to take "the gamble of the century" with the country's future.

Amid rising tensions between the pro- and anti-Brexit camps, Mr Cameron has reportedly been threatened with a challenge to his leadership unless he tones down attacks on MPs backing the "leave" campaign.

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Goldsmith: PM's negotiated EU deal didn't go far enough

Conservative London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has outlined his reasons for supporting Britain's bid to leave the EU, in defiance of the PM and perceived popular opinion in the capital.

The decision by Zac Goldsmith (far right) to campaign for Britain to leave the EU has been seen by some pundits as a boost to the campaign of his main rival Sadiq Khan (far left). Credit: PA Wire

In an article published in the City AM newspaper, Mr Goldsmith praised David Cameron for his "efforts" at reforming Britain's relationship with the EU but said "the deal on the table does not go far enough".

Mr Goldsmith also took a swipe at Labour's London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan, though pundits claim the anti-EU stance will boost his rival.

The most important characteristic of any democracy is that it should be possible for voters to evict those who act in their name. The EU fails on that test. Real power in Brussels rests in institutions that are accountable to no one.

...Given that even in the face of the UK voting to leave, the EU is unwilling to entertain meaningful reform, it is unlikely we will see anything more in the years to come. So I believe we would be better off out of the EU, and I will be voting to leave.

...I recognise that opinion in London is at best divided on this issue, and as a mayoral candidate, it would be easier for me to quietly U-turn. But I didn’t get involved in politics to test every idea with pollsters, flip flop on the big issues and then carry on regardless once elected. That characterises my Labour opponent’s approach to politics, not mine.

– Conservative London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith
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