Milton Keynes MP declares vote on European Union

Today, the MK South MP told constituents he will campaign to leave just hours after the Prime Minister told of his EU reform deal.

Following crunch talks in Brussels this week, David Cameron declared that Britain will hold a referendum on June 23.

In a statement released this afternoon, Mr Stewart said: “I have concluded that the moment has come for us to part company with the EU.

“I had hoped that we could stay part of a genuinely reformed EU akin to the vision set out by the Prime Minister in his Bloomberg speech, but I believe that the gap between the objectives of the Euro-elite and what I believe is in our national interests is too great.

“That is why I shall be voting to leave. It is a balanced decision; I am not without my doubts.

“This, however, is our once in a generation chance to change our relationship and I believe I would regret a decision to continue with the EU in the hope that something better will come along in the future. I do not believe it will.”

Scottish-born Mr Stewart, who has been an MP for MK South since 2005, called for a “civilised” debate over the referendum that is free from scaremongering.

He hoped today’s statement would help inform the debate.

He added: “Whatever decision is made by the country, I hope that we can respect the result and different conclusions that others will have reached.

“For me, the referendum will be the end of the matter and I devote my energies into making the settlement – inside or outside the EU – work.”

MK north MP Mark Lancaster, who is a defence minister, is yet to announce which way he will vote.

Read Mr Stewart’s full statement on his decision here.