David Cameron Is Really Worried That Fears About Turkey Could Swing EU Referendum
David Cameron welcomes Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Downing Street for talks in January.
Jonathan Brady / PA
David Cameron has sought to reassure voters concerned over Turkey's potential accession to the European Union that it is not "remotely on the cards".
In a sign of growing panic in the Remain camp on the issue ahead of next month's referendum, the prime minister insisted that Turkey would not join the EU for "decades".
He made the direct appeal to voters during a hearing of the Liaison Committee in parliament on Wednesday, amid warnings from Leave campaigners that Turkey's accession could put Britain's security at risk.
In answer to a question from Labour MP Frank Field, Cameron said: "I don't think the accession of Turkey to the EU is remotely on the cards, I don't think it will happen for decades.
"I think if you look at the facts, it requires unanimity of all European members. The French for instance have said they would want a referendum on it.
"So I'd say to people very clearly: If your vote in this referendum is being influenced by considerations about Turkish membership of the EU – don't think about it. It's not remotely on the cards, it's not an issue in the referendum and it shouldn't be."
The PM's tone appeared to have changed dramatically since December 2014 when on a visit to Ankara, he declared that he "very much supports” Turkey joining the EU.
Soon after becoming prime minister in 2010, Cameron said in Ankara: "I’m here to make the case for Turkey's membership of the EU. And to fight for it."