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Syed Kamall: Tory MEP who helped David Cameron with EU renegotiation joins Leave campaign | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The leader of the Conservative MEPs in the European Parliament - who helped broker David Cameron’s renegotiation package - has said he wants to leave the EU. | |
In a symbolic blow to the Mr Cameron, Syed Kamall said he believed that “on balance we could forge a better future outside” the bloc. | In a symbolic blow to the Mr Cameron, Syed Kamall said he believed that “on balance we could forge a better future outside” the bloc. |
The top Tory in Brussels said that he thought the Prime Minister’s EU renegotiation had given the UK a “better deal” but that it was not good enough for him to stay in. | The top Tory in Brussels said that he thought the Prime Minister’s EU renegotiation had given the UK a “better deal” but that it was not good enough for him to stay in. |
He cited wanting a fairer immigration policy for people coming to Britain outside the EU as his main reason for wanting to leave. | He cited wanting a fairer immigration policy for people coming to Britain outside the EU as his main reason for wanting to leave. |
“After much thought, my personal decision is to vote to leave the EU; not because I think David Cameron did a bad job, but because I believe that on balance we could forge a better future outside,” he said. | “After much thought, my personal decision is to vote to leave the EU; not because I think David Cameron did a bad job, but because I believe that on balance we could forge a better future outside,” he said. |
Mr Kamall acted as a go-between for the Prime Minister and EU officials during exchanges over the reforms. | |
He made his statement on Friday morning as Boris Johnson claimed that leaving the bloc would be “win-win for all of us”. | |
The Mayor of London said at a speech in Kent that there were no downsides to leaving the bloc and that the “only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. | The Mayor of London said at a speech in Kent that there were no downsides to leaving the bloc and that the “only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. |
David Cameron has permitted his MPs and Cabinet ministers to campaign on either side of the European Union referendum, which is due to take place on 23 June. | David Cameron has permitted his MPs and Cabinet ministers to campaign on either side of the European Union referendum, which is due to take place on 23 June. |
The PM secured provisions to cut EU red tape, protect the single market for non-eurozone members, and exempt Britain from “ever closer union”. | The PM secured provisions to cut EU red tape, protect the single market for non-eurozone members, and exempt Britain from “ever closer union”. |
He also secured a more limited version of the four-year freeze on in-work benefits for EU migrants that he had set out to achieve. | He also secured a more limited version of the four-year freeze on in-work benefits for EU migrants that he had set out to achieve. |
Some Conservative eurosceptics have described the package as “thin gruel” and “watered down”, however. | Some Conservative eurosceptics have described the package as “thin gruel” and “watered down”, however. |
Grassroots Out, one of the campaigns looking to leave the European Union, is holding a national day of action on Saturday urging voters to leave the European Union. | Grassroots Out, one of the campaigns looking to leave the European Union, is holding a national day of action on Saturday urging voters to leave the European Union. |
Tom Pursglove, the co-founder of the group, said the campaign to leave the bloc was attracting support from all corners of the political world. | Tom Pursglove, the co-founder of the group, said the campaign to leave the bloc was attracting support from all corners of the political world. |
“Every week more and more people are coming out to support the GO campaign to get Britain out of the EU,” he said. | “Every week more and more people are coming out to support the GO campaign to get Britain out of the EU,” he said. |
“As well as having campaigners from across the political spectrum GO is attracting many people who have never been aligned to a political party but want to be a part of this vital cause of making Britain an independent and global facing country once again.” | “As well as having campaigners from across the political spectrum GO is attracting many people who have never been aligned to a political party but want to be a part of this vital cause of making Britain an independent and global facing country once again.” |
But campaigners looking to remain in the bloc have warned that leaving could have serious negative consequences for Britain. | But campaigners looking to remain in the bloc have warned that leaving could have serious negative consequences for Britain. |
Richard Howitt, a Labour MEP who co-presides European Parliament's all-party Disability Rights Group, said in a speech today that disabled people could lose out from Brexit. | Richard Howitt, a Labour MEP who co-presides European Parliament's all-party Disability Rights Group, said in a speech today that disabled people could lose out from Brexit. |
87,000 British disabled people were helped towards work by European-funded training last year – and would not have been so if Britain was no in the EU, he argued. | 87,000 British disabled people were helped towards work by European-funded training last year – and would not have been so if Britain was no in the EU, he argued. |
“In all the talk of 'free movement', what about the right of a wheelchair user to move freely to visit another European country?” he said. | “In all the talk of 'free movement', what about the right of a wheelchair user to move freely to visit another European country?” he said. |
“Discrimination doesn't stop at borders. On the table, we have a European-wide general Accessibility Act, that could further transform the lives of millions of people. | “Discrimination doesn't stop at borders. On the table, we have a European-wide general Accessibility Act, that could further transform the lives of millions of people. |
“People with disabilities will always campaign to pull down barriers. In the European referendum, the Disability Movement should campaign against erecting new barriers.” | “People with disabilities will always campaign to pull down barriers. In the European referendum, the Disability Movement should campaign against erecting new barriers.” |
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will later give a speech in Wales arguing that British farmers will be worse off outside the EU. | Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will later give a speech in Wales arguing that British farmers will be worse off outside the EU. |
Mr Cameron will claim that the move will push up the cost of British beef exports by £240m a year. | Mr Cameron will claim that the move will push up the cost of British beef exports by £240m a year. |
Labour MP Chuka Umunna also told BBC News this morning that the Leave campaign was playing “fast and loose” with jobs that relied on EU exports. | Labour MP Chuka Umunna also told BBC News this morning that the Leave campaign was playing “fast and loose” with jobs that relied on EU exports. |
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