Remain MPs launch pro-Europe campaign group
Open Britain calls for UK to remain in the single market after EU exit.
A cross-party group of MPs who backed Remain in theBrexitreferendum launched a campaign group on Friday to push for Britain’s best interests as it works toward leaving the EU.
Open Britain set out its stall by suggesting key positions that Theresa May’s government should take in the upcoming negotiations with the EU “to deliver the best deal and the best relationship with Europe for Britain’s future,” it said in a statement.
It called for the U.K. to remain in the EU single market, to “mend, not end” free movement, and set up a Migration Impact Fund, although it didn’t specify who would benefit from it or how it would be funded.
The group also said “all EU funding to our regions, universities, businesses, agricultural sector and infrastructure must be protected until 2020, with no cuts at all.”
Open Britain is a spin-off from the Britain Stronger In Europe group that backed the losing Remain side in the June vote. It claims to have more than 500,000 registered supporters.
Anna Soubry, a Conservative MP and former cabinet minister, said of the group: “Getting the best deal for Britain means starting the negotiations with ambitious goals. Britain is an ambitious country and we cannot succeed if we do not start with high ambitions.
“The campaign will marry a commitment to Britain’s membership of the single market with making a positive case about the benefits of immigration. The present system needs further reform. It’s particularly important people know the facts about immigration, we tackle their concerns and ensure the system works fairly for everyone.”
