British PM makes last minute plea, calling EU decision "irreversible"

LONDON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister David Cameron delivered a direct appeal to the British public Tuesday urging them to vote Remain in the upcoming historic referendum on EU membership.

Speaking outside the No. 10 official residence, the somberly-addressed Cameron urged his own generation not to condemn their children and grandchildren to the consequences of a leave vote on June 23.

Cameron said it would be the young and those yet to be born who would be hit hardest by the economic damage that experts predict will follow in the wake of a vote to leave.

"It is for that reason I want to speak very directly to my generation and older. I know Europe isn't perfect. Believe me. I understand and I see those frustrations. I feel them myself. That is why we renegotiated and enhanced our special status, out of the Euro, keeping our borders, not involved in ever-closer union," he said.

"So as you take this decision, whether to Remain or Leave, do think about the hopes and dreams of your children and your grandchildren," he said, "Remember, they can't undo the decision we take. If we vote out, that's it. It is irreversible. We will leave Europe for good, and the next generation will have to live with the consequences far longer than the rest of us."

With immigration still one of the hot topics in the EU debate, Leave campaigners Tuesday claimed civil servants told Cameron in2012 that it was "impossible" for the government to meet its flagship immigration pledge.

Steve Hilton, former director of strategy at 10 Downing Street, said in an interview Cameron was told "explicitly and directly" that EU free movement rules meant net migration could not be reduced below 100,000.

Although Cameron said Hilton was "simply not right" the former strategist remained adamant Tuesday evening that his account was correct.

Latest figures have shown that Britain's net migration in the past year reached 330,000, far higher than Cameron's pledge to bring it down to "tens of thousands."

Justice Secretary and leading Brexit Michael Gove said Tuesday he wanted the British people, via Parliament, to be in charge of deciding who came into the country.

With Wednesday the last day of intensive campaigning ahead of Thursday when up to 43 million Britons have the chance to vote, opinion polls continue to show both sides are virtually neck and neck. The remain side has gone marginally ahead by a single point in a number of polls, meaning those still undecided could determine the fate of Britain in Europe.

The FTSE 100 ended trading Tuesday up 22.55 to 6,226.55, while the pound was trading Tuesday at one pound to 1.4709 U.S. dollars, but observers in both stocks and currency are carefully following trends ahead of Thursday's vote.

Meanwhile, former England football captain David Beckham on Tuesday announced he was backing Remain. The Northern Ireland-based Democratic Unionist Party placed a four-page advertisement in England's biggest free national newspaper urging people to support leave.