‘EU will survive even if UK exits’

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Thursday that the EU will not be killed off if Britain votes to leave but said lessons would have to be learned.

His comments came as two new opinion polls indicated that a majority of British voters want to leave the bloc in the referendum which is to be held in just a week’s time.

“If Britain is leaving the European Union, this will open a period of major uncertainty, both in Britain and in European Union and on a more global level and this should be avoided,” Mr Juncker told an economic forum in Russia’s second city, St. Petersburg.

“I don’t think that the European Union will be in danger of death if Britain leaves because we continue the process of closer cooperation in Europe.”

But Mr Juncker also said the bloc would have to learn lessons not only from events in Britain but from the rest of Europe, adding: “This euroscepticism is not only present in Britain.”

European Council President Donald Tusk, speaking on a visit to Helsinki, said it would be a “huge mistake” for both Britain and the EU if the Brexit camp wins.

“The EU will survive, I have no doubt, it is still much easier to survive when you are 27 member states than completely alone.”

But he added: “The cost will be very high also for us.”

Meanwhile, the Financial Times warned Thursday against Britain quitting the European Union amid nervousness on the financial markets, as a new poll showed a big swing towards the “Leave” camp with one week to go.

The Ipsos Mori survey showed 53 per cent in favour of a Brexit compared to 47 per cent who wanted to stay in the European Union — a marked change from last month when the “Remain” camp was leading by 57 per cent to 43 per cent, excluding undecideds.