There is more good news for the Brexit campaign.
Following Labour MP John Mann coming out for Brexit today, at least one more senior Labour MP will next week publicly back quitting the EU, Heat Street has learned.
Only four Labour MPs have yet to say publicly which way they will vote, but as the referendum campaign enters the final straight one well-known party figure is preparing to speak out for Brexit – and by doing so urge their constituents to follow their lead.
A source said: “With less than two weeks to go to June 23, they feel the time is right to make their intention clear. People are more likely to listen in the closing stages of the campaign.”
The news is a further shot in the arm for Brexiteers following the widely-trailed defection to the Remain side of Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston.
As well as Mann’s intervention, it also follows JCB boss and Tory donor Lord Bamford’s declaration that he is voting for Brexit.
Bamford wrote to his 6,500 employees this week saying there is “very little to fear” from quitting.
I'm not big on #Brexit however this from Lord Bamford makes for some short imformative points. #VoteLeave pic.twitter.com/lj25XB8dis
— Matt Foers (@mattfoers) June 8, 2016
The source added: “It is a myth that most Labour voters are natural supporters of the EU. This MP will go a long way to helping to get the Labour vote out for Brexit. And there may be others.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has claimed he wants to remain in the EU, joining 214 of his parliamentary party colleagues who have opted to Remain.
The EU has put forward positive proposals on tackling tax evasion, but this Tory Government is holding us back #PMQs pic.twitter.com/M8jgztClYf
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) June 8, 2016
However, Corbyn’s sudden enthusiasm for the EU project has been viewed with suspicion.
It goes against the position he has held for the last 40 years, learned at this knee of his political hero, Tony Benn.
It has also contributed to confusion about what his party’s EU stance is.
Including Mann, 10 Labour MPs are already out for Brexit.
The three Labour MPs yet to declare are Natascha Engel, Lindsay Hoyle and John Spellar.
