John Mills · @John_Mills_JML
28th Apr 2016 from TwitLonger
Statement on my resignation from Vote Leave
In an email this morning to Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of Vote Leave, I have tendered my resignation as Deputy Chair of Vote Leave.
Over the last few weeks, within the campaign, I have come to believe that it would be useful and more effective for the Leave campaign if there was a strong and independent Labour voice for the arguments to leave the EU. Labour people are looking for an organisation that speaks directly to their concerns in a voice they recognise as their own.
My resignation today from Vote Leave means that I can now focus fully on my role as Responsible Person and Director of Labour Leave, and create that distinctive voice. In the run up to the vote on 23 June, Labour Leave will provide a compelling and robust left-of-centre case for leaving the EU.
Many people who vote Labour are deeply dissatisfied with the EU. Successive British governments have handed over power to unaccountable EU institutions and remote officials without the consent of the British public. This makes it impossible for any incoming left-of-centre government in the future to implement a truly progressive and transformative economic and social policy.
We continue to pay million of pounds per week to the European Union, which could be better spent on supporting the most disadvantaged people in society and shoring up public services, such as the NHS.
I want to thank Vote Leave for the role they have played in supporting Labour Leave, and I hope this decision will be a transformative first step to motivating Labour people who are still unsure how they will vote to vote Leave in June to secure a better, fairer future for this country. Labour Leave will continue to work with Vote Leave, as well as other Leave campaigns across the piece to secure a stronger future for the UK outside of the EU.
John Mills
28 April 2016