Millionaire Labour donor John Mills to launch business-driven “Hard Brexit” campaign group
Millionaire Labour donor John Mills is in early talks to create a new campaign group to push for a so-called “Hard Brexit”.
Mills, who campaigned for a Leave vote during the referendum, is looking to corral business figures to back a drive under the banner “Business for Brexit”.
The founder of JML has been a thorn in the side of Labour recently, warning last month that the party lacks “fleshed out” economic policy.
And he is now set to push for the UK to drop its Single Market membership, against the policy of his party, having agreed to initially fund the new campaign group after talks with potential backers.
Morning Wire understands that Mills is optimistic of securing the support of around eight senior business Brexiteers, although the retail tycoon's team declined to comment.
Mills told Morning Wire that he had spoken with business leaders and potential financiers concerned the government would concede “unnecessary ground” in the negotiations.
“There is considerable concern among business leaders across the country about the lack of clarity on where the Brexit negotiations are going and what the government thinks the end-game should be,” he said.
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“A very large number of business leaders acknowledge that membership of the Single Market is not the best solution. They also accept that remaining in the European Economic Area is also sub-optimal.
“It is clear that in order to get the best deal for Britain, we must be prepared to come out of the Single Market and negotiate a free trade deal which benefits the EU 27 as well as ourselves; one which leaves the rules for those still in the Single Market intact,” Mills said.
His comments come as Labour's most senior elected politician, London mayor Sadiq Khan, has warned that Theresa May's government is shrugging off concerns from the City over access to the Single Market.