The worst thing for Iain Duncan Smith’s “have-nots” would be Brexit

The poor would bare the brunt of a post-Brexit recession

by Tony Yates / May 12, 2016 / Leave a comment

Iain Duncan Smith, former Work and Pensions Secretary, who in a recent speech claimed Brexit would benefit the "have-nots" ©Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Iain Duncan Smith, former Work and Pensions Secretary, who in a recent speech claimed the “have-nots” would benefit from Britain leaving the EU ©Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

On Tuesday, Iain Duncan Smith gave a short speech on why the EU is a force for, in his words, “social injustice.” In it, he focused attention on the impact that Brexit might have on those at the poorest end of the income and wealth scale. He said: “The EU, particularly for the UK, has become a force for social injustice…[and] despite its grand, early intentions has become a friend of the haves rather than the have-nots.”

These words play on a resentment the Leave campaign knows is keenly felt, and which is arguably evidenced by the rise of UKIP in areas removed (in distance and in income) from prosperous, metropolitan areas of the UK. But the claim that Brexit would ease social injustice is in many respects problematic, and does the poor who he seeks to champion a disservice.

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Comments

Alyson K
May 16, 2016 at 07:43
Thank you Prospect for this balanced and informative article. The Brexiteers are getting so much publicity that the IN crowd merely have logic, compassion, common sense and reason for their appeal. The Loony Left seems to think it would go back to some kind of utopia if Britain left the freedom of Europe for their isolationist vision of a Britain without a Common Market and European food subsidies while Boris and co no doubt have their eyes on a prize which will elude the majority of us should their campaign succeed.
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Greg
May 17, 2016 at 15:45
That's the problem, what is on offer is not the 'common market ' you refer to or my parents voted for 40 odd years ago. The truth is that is how it was sold to the British public but since inception it has always been about creating a federal superstate. If that is what remainers want, fair enough, admit, it but stop treating those who don't share that aspiration as imbeciles.
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