via / BBC Wales online

Tuesday 7th June

Vote Leave campaigner, Nathan Gill, has accused Stronger In of attempting to deliberately mislead the country over plans for Turkey to become a member of the European Union.

It comes after Vote Leave published research showing that the Welsh NHS budget could have to rise by as much of £246 million by 2030 if the accession countries — including Turkey — join the EU.

That research included forecasts that net migration to Wales from the EU would be more than 131,000 by 2030.

Stronger In chairman, Geraint Talfan Davies yesterday claimed the prospect of Turkey joining the EU was “fantasy” and suggested that the UK Government would use its veto to prevent their membership. However, Nathan Gill — Leader of UKIP in Wales — said that Stronger In campaigners were being “deliberately misleading”.

He pointed to a speech given by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, shortly after taking office in which he described himself as the “strongest possible advocate” for Turkey’s EU membership.

Talking to business leaders in Ankara, Mr Cameron said he felt “very strongly, very passionately” about Turkey’s membership of the EU and promised to campaign to “pave the road from Ankara to Brussels”.

Mr Gill said:

“The Prime Minister made a passionate case for Turkey to be allowed to join the EU, and it has been a longstanding plank of this government’s foreign policy — but for some reason remain campaigners are now seeking to pretend that it’s not happening. “The EU is spending £2 billion in taxpayer money to fastback Turkey’s membership and it is deliberately misleading to suggest that it’s not on the cards. “What’s also unacceptable is the Stronger In campaign’s hysterical response to concerns over the pressure that will place on public services. “Right across Wales there are growing pressures on housing, health services and schools, and increased migration will only add to them. These are legitimate, reasonable forecasts and it’s only proper that people should consider this as a factor in making their decision on June 23. “Instead of dismissing the worries of ordinary people in Wales, it would be better to assess the net cost of EU migration sensibly and rationally. “At present, the UK government has no ability to control migration from the EU and Turkey’s membership would have significant consequences, with a population of 76 million — each of whom would be free to come and live in Wales. “That’s why we need to Vote Leave and take back control of migration policy on June 23.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Speaking to business leaders during a visit to Ankara shortly after he became Prime Minister, David Cameron said:

“It makes me angry that your [Turkey’s] progress towards EU membership can be frustrated in the way it has been.

“My view is clear, I believe it’s just wrong to say that Turkey can guard the camp but not be allowed to sit in the tent.

“So I will remain your strongest possible advocate for EU membership, and for greater influence at the top table of European diplomacy.

“This is something I feel very strongly, very passionately about.

“Together, I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels.”