Ludlow MP Philip Dunne: 'Why I want to stay in EU'

Mr Dunne, Tory MP for Ludlow, last night said he would be campaigning for Britain to stay in the EU in the vote on June 23. He said withdrawal would mean a real risk to the prosperity and security of Britain.

The defence minister made the decision earlier this week, but has now released a detailed message to his constituents to explain why he had made the choice to support the Stay camp.

He admitted that "we all have problems with the EU" but said Prime Minister David Cameron had secured a deal that provided a "far better basis for Britain's future membership of the European Union".

He added: "In particular exclusion for the UK from ever closer union allows the EU to adapt in different directions at the same time: one for countries in the Eurozone driving closer together politically to support their currency; and another for those like the UK driving the free market to work better for Britain.

"I have always been naturally Eurosceptic. My heart is attracted to arguments over restoration of sovereignty. I have had profound concerns as the EU has moved towards greater political integration, with a lack of democratic accountability.

"But my head warns me that economic benefits of being in the free market and able to influence its decisions, outweigh the risks from leaving the EU. The Prime Minister has secured protection for the largest sector of our economy, financial services, from future laws enacted to prop up the euro, and a level playing field for regulations between countries in and out of the Eurozone.

"As a key sector for my constituency, I am also extremely conscious of the impact leaving the EU would have on farming and rural development. While EU regulations can be burdensome, I simply cannot see a future UK Government of any political persuasion committing the same level of agricultural and rural support funding to rural communities, were we to leave."

Mr Dunne says in his message that he sees "real risks" in leaving the EU, adding: "A substantial part of our economic growth and job creation in recent years has come from attracting inward investment, much of which relies on confidence in the future of the UK and our ability to access the EU market.

"We have no real understanding of the terms of trade that might follow a Brexit. Even if we secured free market access within the EU on similar terms to Norway or Switzerland, we would be expected to abide by the same regulations without any influence to shape them, as the UK does now."