On June 23, the UK goes to the polls in a referendum of its membership of the European Union. And now, in what is being seen as a dramatic escalation in the rhetoric, the UK Prime Minister David Cameron has invoked images of warfare in Europe, warning leaving the EU could increase the risk of war on the continent.  

Drawing on the lessons of Europe's darkest hour, the UK Prime Minister warned it could happen again.

Cameron said, “Can we be so sure that peace and stability on our continent are assured beyond any shadow of doubt? Is that a risk worth taking? I would never be so rash as to make that assumption.”

He harked back to the millions who died in the Second World War and the role the European Union had in bringing peace to the continent.

“The European Union has helped reconcile countries which were once at each other’s throats for decades. Britain has a fundamental national interest in maintaining common purpose in Europe to avoid future conflict between European countries. And that requires British leadership and for Britain to remain a member,” Cameron said.

Cameron pointed to the dangers of what he called a newly belligerent Russia and the risks posed by Islamic State terrorists. His speech coupled with a pro-EU video, with the words of a generation sacrificed to European war, including Britain’s most decorated soldier, 92 year-old Field Marshal Edwin Bramall.

Those campaigning to leave the 28 nation-trading bloc have ridiculed Cameron’s claims. Former London Mayor Boris Johnson has accused the Prime Minister of desperation.

He said, “I don’t think the prime minister can seriously believe leaving EU could trigger war if they fail to get a substantially reformed European Union.”

London is with the memories of the horrors of the WWII. The UK Prime Minister’s acutely aware of the emotional impact of his heightened rhetoric. It comes as opinion polls remain stubbornly fixed on a 50-50 divide between those in Britain who would stay in the EU and those more than happen to leave.