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Lord Stuart Rose to lead campaign to keep UK in EU | Lord Stuart Rose to lead campaign to keep UK in EU |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Lord Stuart Rose, former chief executive of Marks and Spencer, is to lead the campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union. | Lord Stuart Rose, former chief executive of Marks and Spencer, is to lead the campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union. |
The Conservative peer, now chairman of the In Campaign, said the UK was "stronger in Europe" and to leave the EU would be a "leap into the unknown". | The Conservative peer, now chairman of the In Campaign, said the UK was "stronger in Europe" and to leave the EU would be a "leap into the unknown". |
Earlier, Conservative, Labour and UKIP MPs launched a cross-party campaign to take the UK out of the EU. | Earlier, Conservative, Labour and UKIP MPs launched a cross-party campaign to take the UK out of the EU. |
David Cameron has promised a referendum on the issue by the end of 2017. | David Cameron has promised a referendum on the issue by the end of 2017. |
He held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Chequers on Friday, in which he stressed he wanted to "secure reforms and then keep the United Kingdom in a reformed EU". | |
A Downing Street spokesman said: "He noted that the technical talks are progressing well but that there is still much to be worked through in order to find a solution. Chancellor Merkel reiterated that she wanted Britain to remain in the EU." | |
Lord Rose's appointment comes as a review of the "costs and benefits" of the UK's membership of the EU, to be conducted by the Treasury Select Committee, is announced. | |
Recruitment 'a coup' | Recruitment 'a coup' |
The In Campaign, which officially launches its campaign on Monday, said Lord Rose would take up the position with immediate effect. | The In Campaign, which officially launches its campaign on Monday, said Lord Rose would take up the position with immediate effect. |
Lord Rose, who was chief executive of Marks and Spencer from 2004 to 2011 and is now chairman of online supermarket Ocado, said: "Most people, myself included, will make a hard-headed, practical calculation in the coming referendum on what is best for the British people. | Lord Rose, who was chief executive of Marks and Spencer from 2004 to 2011 and is now chairman of online supermarket Ocado, said: "Most people, myself included, will make a hard-headed, practical calculation in the coming referendum on what is best for the British people. |
"I believe that Britain is stronger in Europe. The choice in the coming referendum is between remaining stronger, safer and better off inside Europe, or taking a leap into the unknown, risking our prosperity, threatening our safety, and diminishing our influence in the world." | "I believe that Britain is stronger in Europe. The choice in the coming referendum is between remaining stronger, safer and better off inside Europe, or taking a leap into the unknown, risking our prosperity, threatening our safety, and diminishing our influence in the world." |
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said: "The In Campaign regard the recruitment of Lord Rose as their chair as a coup, not just because he's a Conservative making the case for staying in the EU, but a businessman associated with some of the country's most well known retail brands - including Marks and Spencer, Argos and Ocado." | BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said: "The In Campaign regard the recruitment of Lord Rose as their chair as a coup, not just because he's a Conservative making the case for staying in the EU, but a businessman associated with some of the country's most well known retail brands - including Marks and Spencer, Argos and Ocado." |
Will Straw, executive director of the In Campaign, said Lord Rose brought "unparalleled experience of business and enterprise" to the campaign, adding: "He knows the value that Britain's membership of the EU brings to businesses right across the UK, and what would be at risk if we left." | Will Straw, executive director of the In Campaign, said Lord Rose brought "unparalleled experience of business and enterprise" to the campaign, adding: "He knows the value that Britain's membership of the EU brings to businesses right across the UK, and what would be at risk if we left." |
Vote Leave, made up of Conservative, Labour and UKIP MPs and donors, launched its campaign on Friday. | Vote Leave, made up of Conservative, Labour and UKIP MPs and donors, launched its campaign on Friday. |
Supporters of Vote Leave, which says it wants to negotiate a new deal based on free trade and friendly co-operation, include Labour's Kate Hoey and UKIP's Douglas Carswell. | Supporters of Vote Leave, which says it wants to negotiate a new deal based on free trade and friendly co-operation, include Labour's Kate Hoey and UKIP's Douglas Carswell. |
It is competing with rival group, the UKIP-backed Leave.EU, to be the official Out campaign in the referendum. | It is competing with rival group, the UKIP-backed Leave.EU, to be the official Out campaign in the referendum. |
The Electoral Commission has yet to designate the official campaigns on either side of the EU debate. | The Electoral Commission has yet to designate the official campaigns on either side of the EU debate. |
The chosen groups will benefit from increased spending limits of £7m during the campaign period, campaign broadcasts and a free mailout to households. | The chosen groups will benefit from increased spending limits of £7m during the campaign period, campaign broadcasts and a free mailout to households. |
They all get access to public meeting rooms and to the electoral register, and are entitled to public grants of up to £600,000. | They all get access to public meeting rooms and to the electoral register, and are entitled to public grants of up to £600,000. |