Referendum 1) Boris: Vote Leave to change the course of history

‘Whatever you say about this referendum campaign, it is a moment of fundamental decision. When you pick up your ballot paper this Thursday, you have it in your hands to transform Britain’s current democratic arrangements for the better. You can change the whole course of European history – and if you vote Leave, I believe that change will be overwhelmingly positive. What is the Remain camp offering? Nothing. No change, no improvement, no reform; nothing but the steady and miserable erosion of parliamentary democracy in this country.’ – Boris Johnson, Daily Telegraph

Brexit would be irrevocable, says Major – FT

And irreversible, says Cameron – FT

Polls suggest it’s now neck-and-neck – Daily Telegraph

Warsi supports Remain – The Times (£)

Comment

>Today:

>Yesterday: WATCH: Gove – “Brexit would be an affirmation of faith and hope in Britain”

Referendum 2) Cameron refuses three times to say he’d veto Turkey joining the EU

‘David Cameron refused three times to say he would veto Turkey’s entry into the European Union last night as he faced public anger over his failure to curb immigration. Appearing on a special Question Time, the Prime Minister repeatedly ducked the question, claiming there was no prospect of the country becoming a member in the near future. He claimed the issue was ‘the biggest red herring in this referendum debate’ and that voting to leave for fear of Turkish entry would be a ‘crazy thing to do’. But given three clear opportunities to say he would use his veto to stop it, he declined to do so.’ – Daily Mail

He is forced to admit the EU’s share of global trade has collapsed – The Sun (£)

And to concede that Remain needs to make a better case – The Guardian

How Cameron’s rhetoric has changed – Daily Telegraph

Audience member compares the Prime Minister to Neville Chamberlain… – Daily Mail

…which elicits a firey response – FT

Throw off the EU shackles and let the economy do even better – Andrea Leadsom, Daily Telegraph

Property sales figures disprove Osborne’s alarmism – The Times (£)

>Today: Michael Fallon on Comment: I’m a Eurosceptic, Conservative – and Remainer. Why I believe our security and prosperity are safer in the EU

Referendum 3) Corbyn: If we stay in the EU, we can never put a limit on migration

‘The Labour leader conceded that there could be no upper limit on European migration while the UK was a member of the EU and free movement of labour a central tenet of the bloc. It came as George Osborne suggested that immigration would only come down to 180,000 “over the next few years” rather than to the “tens of thousands” level repeatedly pledged by David Cameron since 2010. Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, branded Mr Corbyn’s remarks “irresponsible”.’ – The Times (£)

Editorials

He at least has told the truth – Daily Telegraph Leader

The immigration issue won’t go away – Daily Mail Leader

>Yesterday: WATCH: Corbyn – “There is no uncontrolled immigration”

Referendum 4) 10,000 Eurocrats earn more than the Prime Minister

‘According to documents leaked ahead of the last European elections two years ago, EU tax perks mean that at least 10,000 EU employees are taking home more than David Cameron. Many are mere middle managers. Among the extra perks are the £240 monthly allowance for stay-at-home spouses and the £100-a-month allowance per child. On top of that, European taxpayers spend an estimated £80 million each year in school fees for Eurocrats’ children. You need not spend long in the palace of pointlessness that is the European Parliament to sense the institutional arrogance of this entire project.’ – Daily Mail

Eurosceptics surge in Italy – The Times (£)

Weak Hollande forced to compete in primary – The Times (£)

Brussels braces for Brexit – Daily Telegraph

Britain has adopted so many EU laws, leaving would cause ‘constitutional havoc’, lawyer says – FT

>Yesterday: Guy Opperman and Stuart Andrew on Comment: We disagree on Europe. But next weekend, as Conservatives, we will unite to campaign.

Referendum 5) Parliament recalled to pay tribute to Cox

‘Having risen for the EU referendum period last Wednesday, the House of Commons has been recalled to allow politicians to pay tribute to the MP, who was shot and stabbed to death in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday. Jason McCartney, Conservative MP for the nearby Colne Valley constituency in West Yorkshire, wrote to John Bercow, the Speaker, to ask if parliament could “break with tradition” and allow politicians from different parties to sit together “to show we are united in fighting hatred”. Chris Grayling, leader of the House, said that he supported the idea.’ – The Times (£)

Editorials

Remain didn’t keep their promise of a measured debate – Daily Mail Leader

Neither side did – The Times Leader (£)

Some are trying to use this tragedy to silence concerns about migration – The Sun Says (£)

>Today: Andrew Kennedy’s column: The ultimate victims of the hate, mania, bile, and poison spewed out at politicians are ordinary voters. Here’s why.

>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Yes, political debate must be responsible. But it must also be robust – on immigration, and everything else

The MoD plans to privatise war casualty services

‘Repatriation and burial of war casualties and notification of next of kin are to be run by the private sector with the Ministry of Defence set to invite bids next month for a contract to run the services. Defence Business Services was established in 2011 to run human resources, payroll and vetting, and was merged with the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency in 2014. The division also provides welfare services to 900,000 veterans and their dependants. It issues 130,000 medals a year and manages the payroll and pensions for the MoD’s 50,000 civilian staff and 200,000 military personnel.’ – FT

Ken Clarke to retire

‘Ken Clarke, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, has announced that he is to finally step away from politics after serving in Westminster for 50 years. The 75-year-old has reportedly told constituency officers that they will need to look for another ‘successor’ ahead of the next General Election. Speaking to China Daily, the former contender for leader of the Conservative party, said: ‘I will not stand again. This is my last parliament.’’ – Daily Mail

Why does nobody like Neil Hamilton? – Daily Mail

Conservative donor Lycamobile investigated for alleged fraud

‘The Conservatives accepted almost £900,000 in donations from a telecoms giant while it was being investigated for tax fraud and money laundering. Nineteen people were arrested after Lycamobile was raided by French police on Friday. Nine were charged including the general manager in France, Alain Jochimek. Police have been investigating the company since last December when cash collectors working for the company were caught on camera by the news website Buzzfeed dropping rucksacks containing hundreds of thousands of pounds at post offices in London.’ – The Times (£)

One in every 112 people is now displaced by conflict

‘A record 65 million men, women and children were forced from their homes by war and persecution last year, leaving one in every 112 people a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum at the end of 2015, according to the UN. The latest annual global trends study from the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, shows that the total number of forcibly displaced people rose sharply last year, increasing from 59.5 million in December 2014 to 65.3 million in December 2015. With 24 people being displaced every minute and the threshold of 60 million crossed for the first time, the number of forcibly displaced people across the world is now greater than the entire population of the UK.’ – The Guardian

British jihadists travel to Libya as ISIS struggle to survive – Daily Mail

News in Brief