UKIP: Pro-EU Colouring Books 'Brainwash' Kids

Sixteen and 17-year-olds should not be allowed to vote in a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU because they have been "brainwashed" by pro-union colouring books, UKIP has said.

The party said the EU was pouring money into propaganda for use in the UK education system, including colouring books on the Common Agricultural Policy.

Economics spokesman Patrick O'Flynn described it as "brainwashing" and they claimed the Lib Dems call to include 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum was "gerrymandering".

The Conservatives have pledged to hold a referendum on EU membership by 2017 if they are returned to power after the General Election.

UKIP has said it would only support a minority Tory government if the vote is brought forward to this year.

Speaking at a Westminster briefing, Mr O'Flynn and deputy chairman Suzanne Evans said young people were more likely to vote in favour of Britain’s continued membership of the EU.

Ms Evans said the pro-EU propaganda for children was in "everything there from colouring-in books on the Common Agricultural Policy for primary school children right up to research projects at university level".

"The amount of money that the EU is putting into this propaganda and throughout the entire education system is enormous."

Asked if it was brainwashing, Mr O'Flynn said: "I think it's not a million miles away. It's certainly designed to catch people young and feed them propaganda and a very partial view which you know just speaks up to the EU being an unalloyed good thing that we couldn't possibly do without."

He added: "It is an emotive term but I wouldn't demur from the description of brainwashing."