Better Off Out

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Better Off Out (BOO) is the name of a non-party campaign which calls for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. It is run by The Freedom Association, a UK pressure group that describes itself as non-partisan, centre-right and libertarian, and which has links to the Conservative Party and UK Independence Party (UKIP). The campaign was formed in 2006[1] and is based in Cheltenham, England.

Supporters

The patrons of the campaign are Lord Tebbit,[1] the former Chairman of the Conservative Party, Frederick Forsyth CBE,[2] the best-selling author, and Professor Tim Congdon CBE, an economist and former UKIP PPC.

The late Lord Weatherill, the former Speaker of the House of Commons, was also a patron of the campaign.[2]

Members of Parliament

It is supported by a number of Conservative Members of Parliament including Peter Bone,[3] Christopher Chope,[2] David T C Davies,[2] Philip Davies (Conservative),[4] Gordon Henderson,[4] Philip Hollobone,[4] David Nuttall,[4] Heather Wheeler,[4] Andrew Percy, Laurence Robertson and Richard Shepherd.[2] There are a number of Conservative former Members of Parliament who supported Better Off Out.[5]

The former Labour MP for Great Grimsby, Austin Mitchell is also a supporter.[3] There are or were a number of Democratic Unionist Party MPs and Members of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly, including their leader Peter Robinson (though he has since expressed support for continued EU membership) and former leader Ian Paisley. Others include Gregory Campbell, Nigel Dodds, Jeffrey Donaldson,[4] Dr. William McCrea, Ian Paisley, Jr., Jim Shannon, David Simpson and Sammy Wilson as well as prominent members of the smaller Traditional Unionist Voice, including William Ross and former MEP Jim Allister.

UKIP MP Douglas Carswell,[4] and former MP Mark Reckless, are signatories.

Members of the European Parliament

The Conservative MEPs David Campbell-Bannerman, Roger Helmer (who has since left the Conservative party and joined UKIP) and Daniel Hannan have also signed.[6]

Academics and Artists

Other non political supporters include the academics Ruth Lea,[2] Patrick Minford[2] and Alan Walters as well as Ranulph Fiennes[citation needed]and David Bellamy[citation needed].

Management Committee & Senior Staff

Committee Chairman: John Kershaw, Hon. Secretary: Tony Hilder, Hon. Treasurer: Michael McGough FCA, Sir Mark Worthington OBE (ex officio), Christopher Gill, Ewen Stewart, Mark Wallace Chief Executive: Simon Richards,Director: Rory Broomfield,Head of Campaigns: Andrew Allison, ‘Better Off Out’ Campaigns Manager: Rupert Matthews

Detractors

In 2007 the Conservative Central Office warned that BOO was contrary to Conservative party policy.[1]

See also

External links

References