Portsmouth MPs split on Europe

Penny Mordaunt, who is MP for Portsmouth North, has declared she will campaign to leave the EU, becoming the latest government minister to go against David CAmeron on the issue.

But her Tory colleague Flick Drummond (Portsmouth South) today confirmed she is backing the Yes campaign.

Ms Mordaunt says it is in the city’s best interests that the UK severs its EU membership following this summer’s in/out referendum.

It comes despite her previously pledging to support David Cameron in his attempts to negotiate a better deal.

She believes the deal now on the table falls short of expectations - and without further EU reform the UK will ‘never be as safe’ as it could be.

In a statement, armed forces minister Ms Mordaunt said: ‘I will be writing to my constituents to explain in detail my reasons for this decision, and how a leave vote can pave the way to a relationship based on trade, free from the regulations which are holding back our businesses.

‘I have thought long and hard about this, and what would be in the best interests of our city, our country and Europe itself. I think without further EU reform the UK and Europe will never be as safe, secure and prosperous as it could be.

‘It needs reform to thrive and we have seen from these negotiations it is incapable of that. Anyone who wants further reform and a Europe based on democracy and therefore responsive to its people’s needs and concerns should vote to leave and trigger further negotiations.’

Portsmouth City Council leader Donna Jones today also declared that she would campaign for Britain to leave the EU.