Sir John Major warns of split between UK and European Union

Report of a speech by former United Kingdom Prime Minister John Major to the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in Berlin on the 13 November 2014.

He said that the UK 'may be poised to leave the European Union' as 'for the first time, there is a serious possibility that our electorate could vote to leave the EU'.

People in Britain are not opposed to the principle of free movement, Sir John said, but the number of people coming to the UK could not be absorbed at the current speed.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

The Telegraph, 13.11.14: John Major's Berlin Speech: the full text http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11229927/John-Majors-Berlin-Speech-the-full-text.html

ESO: Background information: UK exit better than restricting free movement, says German Chancellor http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-exit-better-than-restricting-free-movement-says-german-chancellor/

The Guardian, 13.11.14: John Major warns allies they risk forcing Britain to leave EU http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/13/john-major-warns-eu-risk-forcing-britain-to-leave

EUObserver, 14.11.14: Chances of Brexit almost '50-50' former PM John Major warns http://euobserver.com/news/126523

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