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The people hoping to persuade UK to vote to leave the EU The people hoping to persuade UK to vote to leave the EU
(35 minutes later)
Meet the men and women who have been given the job of persuading Britain to leave the European Union in 23 June's referendum.Meet the men and women who have been given the job of persuading Britain to leave the European Union in 23 June's referendum.
What is Vote Leave?What is Vote Leave?
It is the organisation that has been chosen by the Electoral Commission to take the lead in making the case for Britain to leave the European Union. Although the big names at the head of the campaign are all Conservatives it has support from Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP figures too, as well as business people.It is the organisation that has been chosen by the Electoral Commission to take the lead in making the case for Britain to leave the European Union. Although the big names at the head of the campaign are all Conservatives it has support from Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP figures too, as well as business people.
Dozens of other organisations - including UKIP - will also be making their case. But only Vote Leave will get access to £600,000 in public funds, be given a free mailshot to every household in the UK, make TV broadcasts and be allowed to spend up to £7m of money it has raised. Other anti-EU groups will be restricted to spending £700,000, and there are quite a lot of them (there are 17 groups under the Grassroots Out banner alone). Dozens of other organisations - including UKIP - will also be making their case. But only Vote Leave will get access to £600,000 in public funds, be given a free mailshot to every household in the UK, make TV broadcasts and be allowed to spend up to £7m of money it has raised. Other anti-EU groups will be restricted to spending £700,000, and there are quite a lot of them (there are about 14 groups under the Grassroots Out banner alone).
What does it do?What does it do?
Vote Leave will play a crucial role in shaping the referendum debate. It is expected to focus on the positive case for leaving, arguing that Britain can take back control of its own destiny, with less emphasis on immigration than UKIP has done in the past, with the aim of winning over wavering voters in the centre ground.Vote Leave will play a crucial role in shaping the referendum debate. It is expected to focus on the positive case for leaving, arguing that Britain can take back control of its own destiny, with less emphasis on immigration than UKIP has done in the past, with the aim of winning over wavering voters in the centre ground.
It is a Westminster-based group but it is building up a network of grassroots supporters and has a growing list of affiliated groups, including Veterans for Britain, Muslims for Britain, Aussies for Britain, Out and Proud (an LBGT group), and even Vapers for Britain, who are campaigning against EU regulation of e-cigarettes.It is a Westminster-based group but it is building up a network of grassroots supporters and has a growing list of affiliated groups, including Veterans for Britain, Muslims for Britain, Aussies for Britain, Out and Proud (an LBGT group), and even Vapers for Britain, who are campaigning against EU regulation of e-cigarettes.
Who funds it?Who funds it?
City millionaire and Conservative donor Peter Cruddas, Labour's biggest private financial backer John Mills, Stuart Wheeler, a Conservative-turned-UKIP donor and hedge fund billionaire Crispin Odey are among those to have put money into Vote Leave. Other business backers include former Conservative treasurer and Dixons boss Lord Kalms, Christopher Foyle, the chairman of Foyles bookshop, Joe Foster, the founder of Reebok, and John Caudwell, a philanthropist and co-founder of Phones4U, are among its other business backers.City millionaire and Conservative donor Peter Cruddas, Labour's biggest private financial backer John Mills, Stuart Wheeler, a Conservative-turned-UKIP donor and hedge fund billionaire Crispin Odey are among those to have put money into Vote Leave. Other business backers include former Conservative treasurer and Dixons boss Lord Kalms, Christopher Foyle, the chairman of Foyles bookshop, Joe Foster, the founder of Reebok, and John Caudwell, a philanthropist and co-founder of Phones4U, are among its other business backers.
The key playersThe key players
This is the group that will meet every day during the campaign to plot strategy and decide on the messages to put out to the media.This is the group that will meet every day during the campaign to plot strategy and decide on the messages to put out to the media.
Michael Gove - Conservative cabinet ministerMichael Gove - Conservative cabinet minister
As one of the cabinet's big hitters and a close friend of the prime minister, Gove was a crucial signing for Vote Leave. A longstanding opponent of Britain's membership of the EU, who kept his views to himself until the referendum date was announced, the justice secretary is the joint head of the Vote Leave campaign.As one of the cabinet's big hitters and a close friend of the prime minister, Gove was a crucial signing for Vote Leave. A longstanding opponent of Britain's membership of the EU, who kept his views to himself until the referendum date was announced, the justice secretary is the joint head of the Vote Leave campaign.
Gisela Stuart - Labour MPGisela Stuart - Labour MP
One of a small group of Labour MPs opposed to Britain's membership of the EU, the German-born Stuart replaced former Conservative chancellor Lord Lawson as co-chair Vote Leave, as the group sought to prove it had cross-party support. A widely-respected figure in the Commons, she has been MP for Birmingham Edgbaston since 1997 and was one of the British MPs delegated to help draw up an EU constitution, an experience that helped convince her Britain should leave.One of a small group of Labour MPs opposed to Britain's membership of the EU, the German-born Stuart replaced former Conservative chancellor Lord Lawson as co-chair Vote Leave, as the group sought to prove it had cross-party support. A widely-respected figure in the Commons, she has been MP for Birmingham Edgbaston since 1997 and was one of the British MPs delegated to help draw up an EU constitution, an experience that helped convince her Britain should leave.
Boris Johnson - London mayor and Conservative MPBoris Johnson - London mayor and Conservative MP
Johnson's decision to join the Vote Leave cause was seen as a potential game changer by the group's leaders. He has ruled out a head-to-head TV debate with David Cameron, the man he one day hopes to replace as Conservative leader, but he has not proved shy of tackling the PM's arguments and denouncing the Remain campaign's arguments in his trademark shambling style.Johnson's decision to join the Vote Leave cause was seen as a potential game changer by the group's leaders. He has ruled out a head-to-head TV debate with David Cameron, the man he one day hopes to replace as Conservative leader, but he has not proved shy of tackling the PM's arguments and denouncing the Remain campaign's arguments in his trademark shambling style.
Matthew Elliot - chief executiveMatthew Elliot - chief executive
The bespectacled 38-year-old is seen as one of the most effective lobbyists at Westminster. Best known as the founder of the pressure group The Taxpayers Alliance, he also ran the successful 'No2AV' campaign in the referendum on reform of the voting system in 2011. He is assisted by Stephen Parkinson who left his job as one of Theresa May's special advisors to join the campaign.The bespectacled 38-year-old is seen as one of the most effective lobbyists at Westminster. Best known as the founder of the pressure group The Taxpayers Alliance, he also ran the successful 'No2AV' campaign in the referendum on reform of the voting system in 2011. He is assisted by Stephen Parkinson who left his job as one of Theresa May's special advisors to join the campaign.
Dominic Cummings - campaign directorDominic Cummings - campaign director
Cummings cut his campaigning teeth in his native North-East, as part of the successful campaign against a regional assembly, in a 2004 referendum. His blunt, uncompromising style has put noses out of joint in the past, particularly during his spell as a special adviser to Michael Gove when he was education secretary, but he is seen by supporters as a clever, original thinker.Cummings cut his campaigning teeth in his native North-East, as part of the successful campaign against a regional assembly, in a 2004 referendum. His blunt, uncompromising style has put noses out of joint in the past, particularly during his spell as a special adviser to Michael Gove when he was education secretary, but he is seen by supporters as a clever, original thinker.
Ian Davidson - former Labour MPIan Davidson - former Labour MP
Davidson has represented Glasgow constituencies in Parliament since 1992, but lost his seat in the SNP landslide at last year's general election. A longstanding Eurosceptic on the left of the party, he is a former chairman of the trade union group of Labour MPs who believes in the abolition of the Monarchy.Davidson has represented Glasgow constituencies in Parliament since 1992, but lost his seat in the SNP landslide at last year's general election. A longstanding Eurosceptic on the left of the party, he is a former chairman of the trade union group of Labour MPs who believes in the abolition of the Monarchy.
Other Key Vote Leave figuresOther Key Vote Leave figures
Cabinet Ministers John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers and Chris Grayling - and Priti Patel who attends cabinet - headed straight for Vote Leave's headquarters to man the phones, along with the then minister Iain Duncan Smith - after David Cameron named the referendum debate.Cabinet Ministers John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers and Chris Grayling - and Priti Patel who attends cabinet - headed straight for Vote Leave's headquarters to man the phones, along with the then minister Iain Duncan Smith - after David Cameron named the referendum debate.
Former Conservative Chancellor Lord Lawson is on the board, along with home shopping magnate and Labour donor John Mills . Former Labour foreign secretary and SDP founder Lord Owen is also playing a high profile role. Former Conservative Chancellor Lord Lawson is on the board, along with home shopping magnate and Labour donor John Mills. Former Labour foreign secretary and SDP founder Lord Owen is also playing a high profile role.
UKIP spokeswoman Suzanne Evans - currently suspended from the party after a row - and former Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch are also expected to figure, along with UKIP MP Douglas Carswell.UKIP spokeswoman Suzanne Evans - currently suspended from the party after a row - and former Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch are also expected to figure, along with UKIP MP Douglas Carswell.
What about Nigel Farage?What about Nigel Farage?
The UKIP leader is the face of Euroscepticism in the UK and did as much as anybody to secure a referendum in the first place. He is a leading member of the Grassroots Out group, which lost out to Vote Leave in the battle to become the official Leave campaign - but that does not mean he will be taking a back seat. It is not yet clear how he will work with Vote Leave - he does not get on with the group's management - but he is certain to be a major presence on our TV screens and at public meetings in the run up to 23 June. The UKIP leader is the face of Euroscepticism in the UK and did as much as anybody to secure a referendum in the first place. He is a leading member of the Grassroots Out group, which lost out to Vote Leave in the battle to become the official Leave campaign - but that does not mean he will be taking a back seat. It is not yet clear how he will work with Vote Leave - he does not get on with the group's management - but he is certain to be a major presence on our TV screens and at public meetings in the run up to 23 June. UKIP will have a £4m spending limit - if it can raise that amount it will have a big voice in the campaign.
Mr Farage offered an olive branch to Vote Leave, when the designation was announced.
"I congratulate Vote Leave on getting designation. The decision of UKIP to back Grassroots Out was on the basis that they saw the importance of the immigration issue in this referendum, and that we wanted to reach out across the country at a grassroots level and work with everyone from the left, centre and right of British politics to get our country out of the EU. I believe this approach is the only way the Leave side can win this referendum.
"It is clear that Vote Leave now share my view on this approach, for instance the issue of EU open borders is now a prominent part of their campaign messaging."
He added: "We in UKIP, as I've said from the start, will work with anyone that wants to leave the EU. We must work together to get our country out of the European Union."