This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35681525

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Leaving EU a stride into the light, says Duncan Smith EU referendum: Leaving EU a stride into the light - Duncan Smith
(35 minutes later)
Pro-EU campaigners have been accused of belittling Britain's strength and ability to succeed as a "global trading" power by Iain Duncan Smith.Pro-EU campaigners have been accused of belittling Britain's strength and ability to succeed as a "global trading" power by Iain Duncan Smith.
The work and pensions secretary said those arguing to stay in the EU were pessimists acting as if the UK was "too inconsequential" to cope outside.The work and pensions secretary said those arguing to stay in the EU were pessimists acting as if the UK was "too inconsequential" to cope outside.
Leaving the EU would be a "stride into the light", enabling the UK to trade freely and control migration, he said.Leaving the EU would be a "stride into the light", enabling the UK to trade freely and control migration, he said.
David Cameron has warned an EU exit would be a "leap in the dark".David Cameron has warned an EU exit would be a "leap in the dark".
The prime minister has challenged Mr Duncan Smith and others campaigning for the UK to leave the EU to spell out their alternative vision and acknowledge such a move would cause "economic pain". A referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU or leave will be held on 23 June.
And Chancellor George Osborne has said so-called Brexit would cause a "profound economic shock". MPs to grill top civil servant on EU guidance
But Mr Duncan Smith dismissed these claims, saying Britain was the "greatest country on earth" and more than capable of prospering outside the EU, which he said was more of a "political project" than a "defined economic entity". Analysis: How will a divided government work during the campaign?
The UK's EU referendum: All you need to know
Remain v Leave: Where Conservatives stand
The prime minister has challenged Mr Duncan Smith and other Conservative cabinet ministers campaigning for the UK to leave the EU to spell out their alternative vision and acknowledge such a move would cause real "economic pain".
And Chancellor George Osborne has said so-called Brexit would cause a "profound economic shock" - an argument echoed by other G20 finance ministers on Saturday.
'Standing alone'
But Mr Duncan Smith dismissed these claims as scare stories, saying Britain was the "greatest country on earth" with the "most brilliant people".
It was, he said, more than capable of prospering outside the EU, which he said was more of a "political project" than a "defined economic entity".
"The UK has faced bigger trials than this. It has stood alone in war but it has also defined trade around the world," he told the Andrew Marr Show."The UK has faced bigger trials than this. It has stood alone in war but it has also defined trade around the world," he told the Andrew Marr Show.
"Britain is a phenomenal country. It has stood alone and fought for freedom. It has been a global trader, it can again be a global trader." "Britain is a phenomenal country. It has stood alone and fought for freedom. It has been a global trader, it can again be a global trader.
"Why would we have such a low opinion of the British people that we going about talking about a leap in the dark and profound shocks... "Why would we have such a low opinion of the British people that we going about talking about a leap in the dark and profound shocks?"
"It is not about personalities but the In Campaign's whole strategy has been about saying 'basically we are too small, too little, inconsequential, we can't do what we want. I don't know why anyone would want to run a country like this". Asked whether he believed the PM's argument lacked patriotism, he replied: "It is not about personalities but the In Campaign's whole strategy has been about saying 'basically we are too small, too little, inconsequential, we can't do what we want. I don't know why anyone would want to run a country like this".
'Deal doable'
Germany and other EU countries would continue to trade with the UK if it voted to leave the EU, he said, while the UK would be able to negotiate a simpler trade-based relationship enabling it to have "access to the world and to the EU".
"We do a deal with the EU. That is a trade deal, it is about access to our markets and access to theirs. Part of our red lines would be about us being able to control our borders as we want…That deal is very doable."
The former Conservative leader also rejected suggestions that an Out vote could trigger the break up of the UK, with the Scottish government pushing for another independence vote.
He said the SNP was "pushing its own agenda" because it had and would never accept the outcome of the 2014 vote to stay within the UK.
Speaking on Andrew Marr, Labour's Angela Eagle said the Conservatives were in "internal meltdown" over the issue of Europe and accused eurosceptics of wanting to turn the clock back to the 1970s and basing economic strategy on trade links with the Commonwealth.
She said it "would be Labour votes" which keeps the UK in the EU, should this happen, and rejected suggestions that Jeremy Corbyn was lukewarm in his support for the EU.
"We are absolutely united in our determination that we get the right decision and stay within the EU," she said.