Project fear took a chilling new turn this week, as Britain Stronger In Europe, the official anti-Brexit campaign, ominously declared that ice cream could be a few pence more should the UK leave the EU.
Paul Polman, a Dutch businessman and the boss of Unilever, told Channel 4 News that “it’s ludicrous to think you can be alone in the UK,” and warned a Brexit would have “serious consequences” and the price of ice cream will go up.
“The UK is actually providing more goods to Europe than we take from Europe, so we are actually creating employment in the country here because of the open borders with Europe,” claimed Mr. Polman.
It’s not entirely clear what he is referring to by “goods”, but it would appear he is completely wrong.
The UK actually runs a massive trade deficit with the EU – almost £24 billion when just “goods” are included, and £21 billion when services are added. We, in other words, take more “goods” from Europe than we send.
Using the example of Magnum, Mr. Polman continued: “You will have import duties on dairy. Anybody from outside the EU has import duties that could be up to 40 per cent, 50 per cent.
“So the price of dairy products will go up, the price of ice cream will go up, and ultimately the consumer will pay the price for that.”
Mr. Polman warned of “serious consequences” and said that it would be “ludicrous” for Britain to vote to leave the EU on 23 June.
He added: “At a time in the world where you see a big trading bloc emerging in China, when the US is talking about trading blocs or building walls around things.
“It’s ludicrous to think you can be alone in the UK and give up belonging to one of the most prosperous and biggest trading blocs which is called Europe.”