EU is a disaster for Britain, warns Cabinet minister
EUROSCEPTIC MP Chris Grayling has positioned himself at the forefront of the campaign to leave – declaring that the European Union is ‘disastrous’ for Britain.
The Leader of the Commons had already played a key role in securing the Government’s guarantee that once the negotiations are complete, ministers will be free to campaign to leave.
Now his allies say he plans to back the Prime Minister until his renegotiations are complete – but will then push to get the UK out of the Brussels club.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the former justice secretary said: ‘I am someone who believes that simply staying in the EU with our current terms of membership unchanged would be disastrous for Britain.
‘That’s why I have always believed that it is imperative that renegotiation takes place and delivers as much potential change as possible.
‘It is in the interests of all Eurosceptics and of our country. I want Britain to choose between a changed relationship and leaving, and not between the current situation and leaving.’
He warned that Brussels was heading down ‘a path that the UK will not and should not follow’, adding: ‘We are a sovereign nation.
‘But thanks to changes to the Lisbon Treaty, countries like ours can now be outvoted every time by members of the eurozone on new European laws.
‘We cannot be left in a position where we have no ability to defend our national interest.’ Although the article was carefully worded, it was a clear warning that he is preparing to play a prominent role in the campaign to leave the EU.
His comments echo those of Lord Lawson, who said on Tuesday that Britain had ‘nothing to fear but fear itself’ when considering leaving the EU.
Yesterday it also emerged that the chances of the leave campaign securing Boris Johnson as a figurehead were receding. The London mayor – who has repeatedly flirted with Brexit – has effectively ruled himself out, telling Eurosceptic MPs: ‘I am not an outer.’
‘Ability to defend national interest’