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50 Conservative MPs ready to lead campaign for EU exit 50 Conservative MPs ready to lead campaign for EU exit
(35 minutes later)
More than 50 Tory MPs are poised to lead the campaign for Britain to leave the EU if David Cameron fails to secure radical reforms to the UK’s ties to Brussels.More than 50 Tory MPs are poised to lead the campaign for Britain to leave the EU if David Cameron fails to secure radical reforms to the UK’s ties to Brussels.
Former cabinet ministers Owen Paterson and John Redwood are among backers of the newly formed Conservatives for Britain, which will initially support the prime minister’s bid to renegotiate terms of membership for the UK, according to the Sunday Telegraph.Former cabinet ministers Owen Paterson and John Redwood are among backers of the newly formed Conservatives for Britain, which will initially support the prime minister’s bid to renegotiate terms of membership for the UK, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
But the group stands ready to lead the charge for exit if the premier fails to secure major changes such as regaining control over British laws and free trade powers, the report adds.But the group stands ready to lead the charge for exit if the premier fails to secure major changes such as regaining control over British laws and free trade powers, the report adds.
Related: Poland warns David Cameron not to fool voters over EU referendumRelated: Poland warns David Cameron not to fool voters over EU referendum
Conservative MP Steve Baker, the campaign’s Westminster chairman, told the Telegraph: “We wish David Cameron every success but, unless senior EU officials awake to the possibility that one of the EU’s largest members is serious about a fundamental change in our relationship, our recommendation to British voters seems likely to be exit.”Conservative MP Steve Baker, the campaign’s Westminster chairman, told the Telegraph: “We wish David Cameron every success but, unless senior EU officials awake to the possibility that one of the EU’s largest members is serious about a fundamental change in our relationship, our recommendation to British voters seems likely to be exit.”
In an article for the newspaper, he added: “I have been struck by the dozens of Tory MPs who would vote to quit the EU now and who will not settle for anything less than fundamental change.”In an article for the newspaper, he added: “I have been struck by the dozens of Tory MPs who would vote to quit the EU now and who will not settle for anything less than fundamental change.”
MPs backing the group are reported to have met twice in parliament since the general election and MEP supporters are due to hold a meeting in Strasbourg on Wednesday.MPs backing the group are reported to have met twice in parliament since the general election and MEP supporters are due to hold a meeting in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Among those who have agreed to be named are senior Eurosceptic Bernard Jenkin and former shadow frontbencher Julian Lewis as well as newly elected Tories James Cleverly, Tom Pursglove, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Craig Mackinlay.Among those who have agreed to be named are senior Eurosceptic Bernard Jenkin and former shadow frontbencher Julian Lewis as well as newly elected Tories James Cleverly, Tom Pursglove, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Craig Mackinlay.
David Campbell Bannerman, a Tory MEP, co-founder of Conservatives for Britain and former Ukip member, said: “If the EU is not willing to return significant powers to our shores, then Britain should leave. We will set out what we believe needs to be achieved in the renegotiation process if Britain is to remain a member of the EU.David Campbell Bannerman, a Tory MEP, co-founder of Conservatives for Britain and former Ukip member, said: “If the EU is not willing to return significant powers to our shores, then Britain should leave. We will set out what we believe needs to be achieved in the renegotiation process if Britain is to remain a member of the EU.
“Restricting freedom of movement of EU citizens and making the UK parliament sovereign over EU law are likely to feature heavily on our agenda.”“Restricting freedom of movement of EU citizens and making the UK parliament sovereign over EU law are likely to feature heavily on our agenda.”
Paterson, a former environment secretary, called on the PM to allow ministers to join the No campaign. Paterson, a former environment secretary, called on the prime minister to allow ministers to join the no campaign.
“We all hope that the deal is satisfactory and will be widely accepted but if there are individuals in the cabinet who are not happy with the deal, they should be allowed to campaign,” he told the newspaper.“We all hope that the deal is satisfactory and will be widely accepted but if there are individuals in the cabinet who are not happy with the deal, they should be allowed to campaign,” he told the newspaper.
“If that is not allowed, these people – if they have got any character about them at all and are interested in the future of their country – should stand down and campaign according to their conscience.”“If that is not allowed, these people – if they have got any character about them at all and are interested in the future of their country – should stand down and campaign according to their conscience.”
It comes after Nigel Farage said Ukip was starting the “ground game” for the campaign to leave the EU.It comes after Nigel Farage said Ukip was starting the “ground game” for the campaign to leave the EU.
Farage said he wanted his party to be part of a wider coalition of Labour and Conservative politicians and leading business figures.Farage said he wanted his party to be part of a wider coalition of Labour and Conservative politicians and leading business figures.
Holding the planned in/out referendum next year instead of 2017 would leave the no campaign struggling to get its message across without action now – and it was time to “get cracking”, Farage said.Holding the planned in/out referendum next year instead of 2017 would leave the no campaign struggling to get its message across without action now – and it was time to “get cracking”, Farage said.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If that happens, the no campaign simply wouldn’t have time to organise and to mobilise.”He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If that happens, the no campaign simply wouldn’t have time to organise and to mobilise.”