EU referendum: How both sides have harnessed hyperbole to further their arguments

After David Cameron inferred Isis would support Brexit, we examine the best attempts by both the Leave and Remain camps to influence opinion

Boris Johnson and David Cameron lead the rival campaigns in the EU referendum (Getty)

The Prime Minister has cranked the EU hysteria up to eleven in a speech in which he inferred that Isis would be supportive of Brexit. Sadly this is not the only occasion on which hyperbole has been harnessed by MPs in support of both camps. Here is a list of the best (spoilers Boris Johnson features heavily).

22 May 2015

In his regular column in The Express Nigel Farage utilised the concerns over Putin and the EU to deliver a tongue in cheek conclusion.

“With friends like these, who needs enemies?”

13 November 2015

Ukip MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Mike Hookem, was one of several political figures who took no time to harness the toxic atmosphere just moments after Paris attacks to push an agenda.

19 April 2016

In an article written for The Guardian, Michael Gove attempts to bolster his argument with a highly charged metaphor in which he likens UK remaining in the EU to a hostage situation.

“We’re voting to be hostages locked in the back of the car and driven headlong towards deeper EU integration.”

26 April 2016

In a move that is hard to decipher, let alone understand, Mike Hookem stuck it to Obama re-tweeting a Ukip advertisement that utilises a quote from the film: ‘Love Actually’ to dishonour the US stance on the EU.

10 May 2016

During a speech in London former work and pensions secretary Ian Duncan Smith said that EU migration would cause an increasing divide between people who benefit from immigration and people who couldn’t not find work because of uncontrolled migration.

“The European Union is a ‘force for social injustice’ which backs the ‘haves rather than the have-nots.”

15 May 2016

Cartoon character Boris Johnson made the news again over controversial comments that the EU had the same goal as Hitler in trying to create a political super state.

“Napoleon, Hitler, various people tried this out, and it ends tragically. The EU is an attempt to do this by different methods.”

16 May 2016

During a tour of the women’s clothing manufacturer David Nieper, Boris had ample time to cook up a new metaphor, arguably eclipsing Gove’s in which he compares the EU to ‘badly designed undergarments.’

“So I just say to all those who prophecy doom and gloom for the British Business, I say their pants are on fire. Let’s say knickers to the pessimists, knickers to all those who talk Britain down.”

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the Chancellor said: “The next thing we know, the Leave camp will be accusing us of faking the moon landings, kidnapping Shergar and covering up the existence of the Loch Ness monster.” But with the quotes over the past few months bordering on fantastical, it may not be too long before Osborne’s prediction comes true.