Merkel MUST BLOCK BREXIT: Blair urges Germany to do EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to stop UK leaving

TONY Blair has urged Angel Merkel to join his campaign to block Brexit and insisted Germany must do everything within its power to keep Britain in the European Union with less than a year to go before it leaves.

Mr Blair, who led a Labour government from 1997 to 2007, has been a vociferous campaigner against Brexit since Britain voted to leave the bloc and has now turned to Europe for support with less than a year to go before the departure on March 29, 2019.

The arch remainer told German publication Business Insider: "It would be a mistake of historic proportions if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

"Even Europe - especially Germany - has a lot to lose.

“It is in all our interests to maintain barrier-free trade across the continent and to hold liberal democracies together in times when authoritarian structures are resurgent."

Tony Blair and Angela MerkelGETTY

Tony Blair wants Angela Merkel to back his anti-Brexit campaign

Tony BlairGETTY

Tony Blair is desperate for Britain to stay in the European Union

Germany should do everything possible to keep the UK in the EU

Tony Blair

He added: "Germany should do everything possible to keep the UK in the EU.

“The most important thing is to keep the door open if the British people decide to reverse their decision by voting on the outcome of the negotiations."

Mr Blair said Germany could play an active role in pushing for a reversal of the decision by joining France in pushing for widespread reform in Brussels.

He said: "Germany can also help to promote a British return to the EU by showing that the EU can change itself.”

Angela MerkelGETTY

Tony Blair has called on Angela Merkel to back his campaign to block Brexit

Mr Blair’s hopes of a European push to block Brexit are partly based on the new governments in Germany and France which have both had fraught elections since the Brexit vote.

In Paris the old political guard was routed by Emmanuel Macron as French voters turned their backs on the countries established parties and in Berlin Mrs Merkel suffered heavy losses and had to make significant compromises to guarantee her fourth term of office.

Acknowledging the changing political landscape across the Channel, Mr Blair said: "I sincerely hope that the new governments in Germany and France will play a leading role in the ambitious EU reforms.

“The reforms are a response to the problems of political unrest and concerns of the people of Europe.”

Angela Merkel and Emmanuel MacronGETTY

Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron

Mr Blair has won the prominent support of billionaire financier George Soros who said Britain and the EU would both be losers post-Brexit.

But Mr Soros said a reversal of the 52:48 majority for Brexit would not be enough to force a U-turn.

He said: "The majority to remain would have to be significantly larger in order to convince Europe that the attitude of Britain towards Europe has changed fundamentally and their decision should be taken seriously.

"Voters must urge their deputies to give them the courage to rebel against the party leadership, and voters need to be motivated not only to vote, but to play an active role in the process to take over politics. "

Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg