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Monday 16 May 2016 10:48 am

Remain dream team? A most unlikely group is speaking out on Brexit – Osborne, Balls and Cable join forces

By: Lynsey Barber

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An unlikely group has gathered at, of all places, Stansted Airport, to make the case for Britain remaining in Europe.

The chancellor George Osborne has been joined by former political rivals Ed Balls and Vince Cable – as well as outspoken Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary.

The unlikely trio, representing the UK's main political parties, stood together united against Brexit.

Dubbing Leave campaigners "conspiracy theorists", Osborne said:

Ed Balls, Vince Cable and I are from different political parties. We fought each other at the last general election with different economic arguments and we’ve clashed repeatedly in the House of Commons over the years. But there’s one thing we all agree on. And it’s that it would be a huge mistake for Britain to leave the EU and to leave the Single Market And we’ve come here today to Ryanair to make that point,.

Read more: Mark Carney defends "outspoken" BoE Brexit comments

"The next thing we know the Leave camp will be accusing us all of faking the moon landings, kidnapping Shergar, and covering up the existence of the Loch Ness monster," he added. 

"It's not a conspiracy theory, it's called a consensus."

Meanwhile, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary warned Britain faces higher holiday costs if the nation votes to leave Europe in June's referendum.

Read more: International businesses say Brexit would lead to cut in investment

"I am absolutely certain that the UK economy is better off in Europe, and that is why Ryanair is campaigning hard and actively calling on UK voters to vote 'Remain' on the 23 June,” he said.

The low-cost carrier, which has today opened its European training centre at the airport and announced the creation of more than 1,000 jobs this year, unveiled a livery on one of its planes which read "Stronger, safer, better off in Europe".

Ed Balls, Labour's former shadow chancellor, said: "Neither Vince or I are interested in the politics of this. You're more likely to see us again on the Great British Bake Off or on Strictly Come Dancing, rather than back in the House of Commons."

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