The UK would face an increase in the number of refugees traveling to Britain from Calais if it left the EU, former Conservative immigration minister Damian Green has warned, in comments that directly contradict claims made by the country's Eurosceptic elements.

In what has been seen as an attack on anti-EU elements of the Conservative party, Green says that it was "simplistic" and "flawed" to suggest that leaving the EU would give Britain greater control of its borders.

Rising migrant deaths force the EU to look ahead and form a credible solution to the migrant crisis http://t.co/DRxsWUkj6v — British Influence (@britinfluence) August 28, 2015

Instead of acting to secure Britain's borders, Green argued that leaving the bloc would lead to an increase in refugees attempting to cross the English Channel from Calais, because French authorities would not be bound to stop people traveling to Britain.

"The fact that there are currently thousands trying to get to Britain, causing difficulties in and around Calais, shows that the French are prepared to put up with the difficult practical consequences of meeting their obligations to the UK," he wrote in a pamphlet for the group Conservative European Mainstream.

Green then posed the question: "Does anyone seriously imagine that they would continue to do this if we left the EU?"

The Conservative MP, who was David Cameron's immigration minister between 2010 and 2012, said a potential Brexit from the EU would be nonsensical, given the benefits Britain receives.

"Things are already difficult enough in Kent with the problems at Calais. It would be perverse to make these even worse thanks to a deliberate act of national policy, alienating our nearest neighbor and thereby tearing up an agreement which works much more to our advantage than theirs.

"The emotional appeal of 'taking control of our own borders', which anti-Europeans see as one of their strongest arguments, is a deeply flawed concept."

Brexit Debate Heats Up

The comments come amid heightened debate about a potential UK exit from the EU, with David Cameron promising the British public an In/Out vote on membership before the end of 2017.

Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne have already conducted talks with various European leaders as part of plans to gauge the level of support across the bloc for EU reform.

Cameron himself has said that his preference would be for the UK to remain in a reformed EU, but has not ruled out campaigning for a Brexit should reform negotiations fail.

Animation: Brexit in numbers – What would Europe look like without the UK? | VIDEO: http://t.co/PWIqb4L87B pic.twitter.com/1QnpTtEGg9 — viEUws (@viEUws) September 1, 2015

However, many Conservative backbenchers are at odds with the PM, arguing that the UK should leave the bloc regardless, as it would allow London to have greater control over its own affairs.

There are fears that these internal divisions over Europe could split the party, and put the government's slim majority in doubt.

Among the main issues concerning Britain is the matter of migrant benefits and EU immigration to Britain, with Conservative party officials hoping for changes to be made that would ultimately make it tougher for EU citizens to claim public benefits in the UK.

Big boost to Brexit campaign, Electoral Commission says E U referendum q shd not be 'Yes' or 'No' q. Q will be remain or leave instead — Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) September 1, 2015

Labour leader hopeful Yvette Cooper has taken aim at the government accusing David Cameron of "political cowardice" over the limited number of asylum requests the UK has offered to Syrian refugees, saying the UK should accept 10,000 from Syria to help ease the refugee burden on other EU countries.

Some Eurosceptics have suggested that a crackdown on internal EU movement into Britain would allow the country to take in more people on humanitarian grounds.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

As the debate continues, David Cameron has accepted a recommendation to change the wording of the UK's referendum question.

Instead of the question "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?" the public will now be asked "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?" following advice from Britain's Electoral Commission.

The commission had warned that the initial question might have influenced people to vote in favor of the current state of affairs and remain within the EU, with Eurosceptics pushing for the alteration of the referendum question.

Instead of a simple 'Yes' or 'No' answer, the UK referendum will feature the choice of two responses, whether to "Remain a member of the European Union" or "Leave the European Union".