Leave voter who wants to 'control our own laws' can't name single EU law
Caller initially jokes he voted to change 'the shape of your bananas'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Leave voter who wants to exit the European Union so the UK can take “control of our own laws” has been embarrassed on a radio phone-in when he failed to name a single EU law he was most keen to get rid of.
Ashley, a self-employed electrician who called in to James O’Brien’s LBC radio show, claimed he was willing to take a “short-term” financial hit to his business if it meant leaving the EU.
He asserted he did not listen to the spurious economic claims made by the Leave campaign, but voted to exit the EU “for the independence” and to “control our own laws”.
When asked by Mr O’Brien which specific laws he disliked, Ashley initially responded: “Any.”
On being pressed further, he jokingly responded: “The shape of your bananas”.
Mr O’Brien remained unimpressed: “It's not funny, is it? The pound is at the lowest it's been since 1985, you just said "any law" and I'm just asking you to name one.
"We both know that bananas was a lie made up by Boris Johnson. Remind me which side he was on during the Leave campaign.
"What is the law? You know you were going to take short-term economic damage, you knew that all your customers would do as a newly-formed electrician company. Every single customer in the country is going to be potentially worse off than they were before the vote.
"So I'm just wondering what those laws are that you won't have to obey any more that made you vote for this short-term economic hit.
"Can you name one?"
Ashley's responded: "I wouldn't be able to, no."
Ashley later explained he voted to Leave because the UK should have greater control over its immigration policy.
“If immigration is all you’ve got, then you’re the cliché,” Mr O’Brien commented.
The exchange took place amid claims that the Brexit vote could wipe £800 from the annual wages of the UK’s lowest-paid workers.
During the referendum campaign, Mr O’Brien grilled a number of leading politicians who spearheaded the Leave campaign, notably Nigel Farage.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments