EU campaign round-up: Battle of the boats as Leave maintains poll lead

In eight days’ time Britain makes the biggest decision of a generation. Here is LabourList’s guide to what is happening in the countdown to June 23.

Quote of the Day

“Tories like Michael Gove and Iain Duncan Smith have been devastating our public services for the past six years. Now they are claiming that if we leave the EU they’ll be spending more money on the NHS, building more schools and protecting workers’ rights. This is a blatant attempt to mislead Labour voters into supporting Brexit. They are promising Labour voters blank cheques that will bounce,” – Dan Jarvis speech in Keighley, West Yorkshire, today.

Forecasts

The Remain campaign’s lead in Scotland – previously seen as the home of rock-solid EU support – has narrowed, according to a new poll. Some 53 per cent are ready to vote to stay in compared to 32 per cent backing Leave, an IPSOS Mori poll for STV reported. The margin was 66/29 in favour of Remain just six weeks ago.

A TNS poll of Britain-wide opinion published yesterday recorded a 47 vote share for Leave while Remain was on just 40 per cent.

Message of the Day

A vote to Remain could create more than one million new jobs in Britain by 2030, according to Tom Watson. The Labour deputy leader said 200,000 British companies export to the EU each year and they could contribute to a boom in jobs in digital services, energy and tourism.

UKIP watch

Nigel Farage led a bizarre waterborne protest outside Parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions. The “Farage flotilla” sailed up the Thames from Ramsgate in Kent to highlight the flaws in EU fishing regulations. However the Brexit boats were countered by vessels piloted by In supporters and Momentum activists, along with Bob Geldof, as the rival camps yelled slogans across the river.